Ramon Calderon is reported to have quit as president of Real Madrid today, which could end the club's bid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Manchester United winger was Calderon's No1 transfer target last summer and he was expected to make a new move for Ronaldo at the end of the season.

But Calderon is now believed to have resigned following a vote-rigging scandal. A Spanish newspaper has reported that the 57-year-old lawyer manipulated a general assembly vote - effectively a vote of confidence - last month.

Real have refused to comment but it is thought vice president Vicente Boluda will take over until an election is called.

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson has predicted United are about to see the best of record signing Dimitar Berbatov.

With Wayne Rooney sidelined for three weeks by a hamstring injury picked up against Wigan and Carlos Tevez limping through most of that game, tomorrow's trip to Bolton offers the ideal time for the £30.75million signing to star.

"I have a feeling we are about to see the best of Berbatov," said the manager. "When you pay a lot of money for a player he inevitably comes under close scrutiny."