Manchester United today insisted Cristiano Ronaldo will not be sold, despite the player saying he is ready to join Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants are thought to be preparing a world record £50million bid for the winger but United have made it clear that they will fight to keep him.

A statement from the club said: "Further to Friday's press speculation about where Cristiano Ronaldo's future lies, the club have moved to reiterate our stance on the matter: United are not listening to offers. He is not for sale."

Ronaldo sparked what could now turn into a bitter battle to keep the Portuguese star at Old Trafford when he said he was preparing to announce that he wanted to join Real.

He also prompted a possible war between Sir Alex Ferguson and Chelsea's new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari when he revealed his national coach had advised him to leave the Premier League for a dream move to Spain.

The United icon finally confirmed his intention to leave for Madrid after Portugal's Euro 2008 exit against Germany last night.

He said: "The possibilities are big. In two days, I'm going to announce to the world what everyone already knows.

"Personally, it's something I want, something I've dreamed about since I was a kid.

"For me, it's a very good opportunity and as Scolari says, it only happens once in a lifetime."

The news of Scolari's intervention could lead to a few sparks flying between the two fiery bosses when Chelsea meet United at Stamford Bridge six weeks into the new Premier League season.

Ronaldo said he would be going back to Manchester in two days' time where he would have a minor operation to cure a foot injury and also have his first face-to-face meeting with Ferguson about his plans. It is believed he wants to try to gain the manager's blessing for the move, but it now seems he will be told he is going nowhere.

"I haven't talked to Alex Ferguson yet but now we will talk," he said. "It would be very difficult to leave but it could be good for both [of us]."

Asked if there had been an offer from Real, Ronaldo said: "I think so. Everyone knows what I want."

But Real, who were unsuccessfully reported to FIFA by United over what Ferguson raged was an illegal approach for his player, are now being more cautious.

"We would willingly reach an agreement with Manchester United if it is possible; that is to say, if they want to sell and if the price was affordable," said Real's director general of the presidency, Miguel Angel Arroyo.