The Reds Devils hope to end Real Madrid’s interest in the Portuguese superstar by tying him down to a long-term deal.

Ronaldo is reported to be wanting around £175,000 a week to stay at Old Trafford.

And a representative from Ronaldo’s agents Gestifute confirmed: “It is normal that a footballer wants a deal to go with his status and one that matches his performances on the field.

“But nobody has prepared anything concrete.

“We want to avoid all these rumours in the press and will have contact with United.

“We do predict a meeting with Manchester United to speak about the future of Ronaldo but still there is not an exact date.”

The Portuguese winger was substituted in the 82nd minute of United’s goalless draw at Aston Villa on Saturday and was limping heavily as he left the ground.

Ronaldo did train on Monday morning but it is still unsure whether he will be ready to face the Spaniards.

Boss Alex Ferguson said: “His leg’s in a mess. He’ll be doubtful for Tuesday, I’m sure of that.”

Wes Brown, Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves are already on United’s injury list and goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar did not travel to Spain with the rest of the squad, but Darren Fletcher hopes to shake off a knee injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo has reached top form after watching the Reds winger strike two unstoppable free-kicks in the 5-0 win over Stoke.

The United boss was pleased to see Ronaldo score his 100th and 101st goals for the Reds with two wonderfully struck set-pieces.

It indicates that the Portuguese winger is now back to his very best following a start to the season disrupted by an ankle operation in the summer.

“You saw his celebration, he was very pleased and the crowd were delighted,” said Sir Alex.

“He’s on fire now, he’s back. He’s overcome his operation and he is getting quicker with every game. His fitness levels are fantastic. The boy is back.”

United’s five-star performance against Stoke wasn’t all about Ronaldo. Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov and Premier League debutant Danny Welbeck also chipped in. And Sir Alex was pleased with the way the Reds defended against Stoke’s physical and aerial threats.

“We did some work on it during the week. We handled the throw-ins very well - I think the crowd helped us there!” he said refferring to United’s fans jeering whenever their was a throw-in that didn’t fluster the Reds rearguard.

CRISTIANO RONALDO hit his 100th goal in a United shirt as party time continued at Old Trafford.

The club were already celebrating Alex Ferguson’s 50 years in football and the visit of Stoke provided the perfect cannon fodder for an entertaining afternoon at the Theatre of Dreams.

Ronaldo put the home side ahead with a typically vicious free-kick inside five minutes and added another in the last minute as United ran riot.

Further goals by Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov and 17-year-old Danny Welbeck kept United eight points behind the leaders.

United boss Ferguson reckons Ronaldo is back to his brilliant best following his summer recuperation from an ankle injury.

He said: “That is nine for the season now. I am sure he will be into double figures very soon.

“Overall, he has scored 101 times in 253 appearances, which is an unbelievable return for a winger.

“He is back now that’s for sure. We have been waiting for him to get a free-kick and the power he hit the first one with was very impressive.”

Stoke boss Tony Pulis must have known he was in for a tough afternoon when the Portugal star’s early strike dipped and swerved to fool the big Dane Thomas Sorensen in the Potters’ goal.

And the visitors’ main weapon was nullified as well - thanks to the steep slope around the pitch at Old Trafford.

It meant the Rory Delap was struggling to get enough momentum on his missile-like throws, although he did get enough purchase on one to force Edwin van der Sar into a smart save in the first half.

Carrick doubled the lead right on the stroke of half-time.

Ronaldo was the provider but the former Spurs midfielder still had a lot to do as he fired a terrific left-foot strike from 10 yards that proved too much for Sorensen.

A superb finish by Berbatov made it three.

Darren Fletcher played in Carlos Tevez and he set up the Bulgarian for a typically classy finish, lashing in a volley from six yards out.

United duo Darron Gibson, 21, and Welbeck came on for their Premier League debuts and the latter capped a perfect debut by hitting the fourth six minutes from time.

Ronaldo then crashed in his second free-kick in the dying minutes - with again Sorensen getting a hand to the strike.

A cruise for United but one they desperately needed to keep up the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea at the top of the table.

Pulis reckons his players will soon shake off the disappointment.

He said: “We were doing okay until United scored just before half-time.

“When they got another just afterwards, it killed us.

“We have done quite well against the other big clubs this season but once we had to chase the game, United just picked us off.”

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher (Gibson 63), Park (Welbeck 63), Tevez (Manucho 74), Berbatov. Subs not used: Foster, Anderson, Nani, Rafael Da Silva. Booked: Evra. Goals: Ronaldo 3, Carrick 45, Berbatov 49, Welbeck 84,Ronaldo 89.

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin (Wilkinson 79), Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Olofinjana (Cresswell 31), Diao, Amdy Faye, Delap, Fuller (Kitson 68), Sidibe. Subs not used: Simonsen, Cort, Whelan, Tonge. Booked: Fuller, Delap.

CRISTIANO RONALDO has vowed to win over the Manchester United fans — just like he did after the 2006 World Cup.

The United winger has faced the wrath of supporters after making no secret of his desire to join Real Madrid in the summer.

Ronaldo returned a villain from Germany two years ago for his part in Wayne Rooney’s red card — and the infamous wink to the bench in Portugal’s win over England.

Ronaldo, 24, said: “A part of the supporters show themselves to be more unhappy than others. But I hope to change their minds.

“When I put on the United shirt I give my maximum. Nobody can condemn me on this.

“I hope it will be similar to when I came back to England after the 2006 World Cup and I can win the fans back.”

Boss Alex Ferguson put his foot down and blocked the sale of Ronaldo to Spanish giants Real and accused them of trying to unsettle his most valuable asset. Yet Ron insists it was his decision to stay.

He added: “Nobody can convince me about anything. Since I was young I’ve had to make decisions, I make them alone.

“I want to win more at this club. If the boss thinks I have to stay on the bench I respect that, even if it’s difficult.”

This is one of the Most awaited news in Sports of EPL

Sexiest Men: Cristiano Ronaldo

RYAN Giggs has warned United’s title rivals that Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to terrorise Premier League defences once again.

Portuguese winger, Ronaldo, made his first start of the season against Middlesbrough on Wednesday – scoring in the 3-1 win.

Now Giggs is convinced last year’s 42-goal star is set for another glorious campaign after committing his future to Old Trafford.

“No-one wants to lose Cristiano,” he said. “He is such a special player, as he proved again. He scores all sorts of goals, which is why he is such a danger.

“He looks really sharp and it is great to have him back.”

With Ronaldo back to full fitness, following an ankle operation in the summer, Giggs is confident United will soon find top gear.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have stuttered so far this campaign, but following last week’s draw with Chelsea and Wednesday’s Carling Cup victory against Middlesbrough, the Welshman is sure the Premier League and European champions will start chasing down the sides at the top of the table.

“We have had a tough start,” he said. “We didn’t play well at the beginning of the season, but over the last week or so we have played some really good stuff.

“This team is capable of going on a run and winning 10 games on the trot. Hopefully that run has started now and we can carry it on against Bolton.”

United have collected just five points from a possible 12 in a fractious start to their defence of their Premier League and Champions League crowns.

But Giggs can sense the familiar momentum starting to build at Manchester United - which is bad news for Saturday’s opponents Bolton.

After taking encouragement from successive draws against Villarreal and Chelsea in the Champions League and Barclays Premier League respectively, United finally got the win they craved by beating Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

It might only have been the Carling Cup and they might only have been facing 10 men for the last 20 minutes following Emanuel Pogatetz’s disgraceful challenge on Rodrigo Possebon but for United, the win could take on far more significance than merely booking a place in the fourth round.

“We have had a tough start,” acknowledged Giggs. “We didn’t play well at the beginning of the season but over the last week or so we have played some really good stuff.

“This team is capable of going on a run and winning ten games on the trot. Hopefully that run has started now and we can carry it on against Bolton.”

Unlike 12 months ago, when, much to Sir Alex Ferguson’s frustration, the Red Devils folded on home soil against Coventry, there were plenty of positives.

Five younger members of the Scot’s squad showed promise, a few older ones, including Giggs, got some valuable match practice under their belts, while Cristiano Ronaldo got his name on the scoresheet for the first time since last May’s Champions League final.

Unfortunately, it was all overshadowed by the horror tackle on Possebon.

The young Brazilian had been patrolling central midfield in outstanding fashion and was starting to trigger thoughts of just how long Ferguson could keep him out of his starting line-up when Pogatetz made his crass lunge.

Thankfully, the Middlesbrough skipper did not break the 19-year-old’s leg as originally feared. However, Possebon may have suffered ligament damage and is facing the prospect of a spell on the sidelines.

“It was very high,” said Giggs of Pogatetz’s tackle. “The ball wasn’t up there. The ball was on the floor and he went over it.

“Rodrigo suffered a really bad, deep cut but hopefully he will be okay because he did really well.”

Ferguson must now decide whether, with another hour under his belt, Ronaldo is ready to be let loose on Bolton, the team he made his United debut against in 2003.

The same is also true of Anderson, who has looked out of sorts since returning from Olympic duty with Brazil, although Ferguson detects the South American is nearly back to his best again.

“There is no doubt Anderson felt the effects of being in China,” said the United boss. “When he played his first game at Portsmouth the adrenalin kept him going but since then he has been pretty low.

“Now it seems he is back to his usual self, which is great to see.”

Giggs too is eager to make a contribution. At 34, the Welshman has virtually come full circle, using the League Cup as valuable match practice whereas at the start of his illustrious career it was to show his ability, which has never seriously been in question.

With 764 appearances to his name, Giggs is edging his club record way beyond Sir Bobby Charlton to a level it is impossible to imagine anyone ever reaching.

And his 145th goal - a delightful chip 11 minutes from time after Chris Riggott had stood on the ball - means he is just five short of becoming the ninth United player to reach the magic 150.

“It was a nice goal,” Giggs said of his latest effort. “I made my mind up quite early. I knew what I was going to do as soon as I went through so all I had to do was stick to it.”

CRISTIANO RONALDO says he is happy at Manchester United — but his body language in Denmark this week told a very different story.

Alone, unhappy and seemingly with his mind and heart elsewhere.

None of us should forget Ronaldo tried his hardest to quit United for Real Madrid this summer.

He said and did everything he could to make the move happen but United stood firm and boss Alex Ferguson talked him into staying.

The club and player claim everything is now back to normal — but how can it be?

Certainly the evidence of the Euro clash in Aalborg told a very different story.

Let us remind ourselves this player was always the bubbliest on trips and wanting to be the centre of every joke and jape.

On Monday on the flight out he sat alone and pensive.

On arrival at the small Danish airport he stood apart from the rest of his team mates who were joking and signing autographs for airport staff.

Only when the team began to file out of the baggage area did his fellow Portuguese team mate Nani come over to Ronaldo and beckon him to join the end of the line.

On the eve of these Champions League matches the team always trains at the stadium they are to play in.

The first 15 minutes of this are open to the press when understandably no clues are given to the team and tactics for the following night.

Instead the players indulge in a footballing game of piggy in the middle which Ronaldo always used to enjoy — not on this occasion however.

The game himself saw him trying his best as always although there seemed to be no verbal communication between him and anyone else on the pitch.

The fans who spend their hard-earned cash to go to these away games are the staunchest at the club and they still refuse to chant his name for his apparent treachery.

It could be just that his time out of the game recovering from ankle surgery has left him frustrated as he still tries to regain his best form.

Outwardly he was certainly not giving anything away about what might be going on inside.

Ronaldo said: “I feel very comfortable now. I played my first game two weeks ago and all the fans appreciated me.

“I feel very good within the club and very happy I want to carry on like that.”

Manager Alex Ferguson certainly believes Ronaldo is on the right track to getting back to the sort of form that made him last season’s double Player of the Year and a European and Premier League champion.

Ferguson said: “Ronaldo is progressing all the time and I saw improvement in his sharpness against Aalborg. He always looked a threat.

“Even when he came on for the last 20 minutes against Villarreal he was a threat.

“He could have had a couple of goals against Aalborg but he did set up Berbatov.”

Ronaldo got back on the goal-scoring trail in his first start this season in the 3-1 Carling Cup victory over Middlesbrough.

Against Bolton he was at the centre of controversy when awarded a penalty after a perfectly good tackle by defender Jlloyd Samuel. He would pick himself up to score from the spot. But the acclaim around the ground was still not touching the heights of last season when all four corners would sing ’Viva Ronaldo’.

No matter how hard everyone tries the question remains whether anything can be the same again.

CRISTIANO RONALDO says he must wait before being able to hit top gear again.

The Manchester United star has made a speedy return after his summer ankle operation

Ronaldo, 23, played his first full 90 minutes of the season in Champions League win over Aalborg.

But the forward has told United fans to be patient as he attempts to regain full fitness.

He said: “It will be another two or three weeks before I can give 100 per cent.

“I feel very good. There is good improvement there and I am very happy to be back.

“But my ankle has still not fully recovered. I still feel it a little bit.

“The medical staff say that is normal and I feel very confident about the future.”

Ronaldo saw Dimitar Berbatov score his first goals for United in Denmark last night.

And he reckons there is a lot more to come from the Bulgarian hitman.

He said: “It’s good for Berba to score his first goals for United and he played well.

“It’s always good for forwards to score, it keeps your confidence high. Everyone knows he’s a good player.

“His style is different to Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney but after two or three games we’re getting better together.

“He’s a fantastic player and he’s going to help the team a lot.”

ALEX FERGUSON has told Manchester United fans it is time to forgive Cristiano Ronaldo for trying to quit the club.

Ronaldo will make his first appearance before the Red Devils faithful since May’s Champions League triumph as they begin the defence of that crown.

And the winger can expect a luke-warm reception from an Old Trafford crowd still smarting after the Portuguese star’s attempts to join Real Madrid this summer.

But gaffer Fergie says Ronaldo deserves another chance as he has been a model professional since returning to United and battling back from his ankle injury.

Ferguson said: “I think the fans understand the situation — he was a young man tempted by the lure of money.

“Since we gave him our decision he has accepted it and his training has been fantastic.

“He’s come back from his ankle operation ahead of schedule and been the perfect patient.

“Cristiano has been training every day until 5pm and shown real determination to get back playing.”

Ferguson says Ronaldo’s attitude off the training field has been spot on, too, despite being denied his apparent ‘dream’ move to the Bernabeu.

The Old Trafford boss added: “There has been no toys thrown out the pram. He has accepted the situation and got on with it.

“I’m delighted he is back. You are talking about a truly magnificent player.”

But Stuart Parish of the Manchester United Supporters Trust, believes Ronaldo will need to make a big effort to win back the fans — despite his 42 goals last season.

No Ronaldo songs have been sung this season as they often are in a player’s absence.

The song ‘Viva Ronaldo’, sung throughout last season’s triumphant Champions League campaign, has been changed to ‘Viva John Terry’ after the Chelsea captain’s penalty miss in the thrilling Moscow final. Parish said: “He will get a mixed reaction, there is no doubt about that.

“I watched the Liverpool game in a pub at the weekend and some fans booed Ronaldo when he was pictured on the TV.

“But they were shouted down pretty quickly because United fans just don’t boo their own players.

“The only one I can think of was Rio Ferdinand, when he wouldn’t sign his contract, but even then it was a minority.

“The fans won’t turn on Ronaldo in a big way. It’s just not our style.

“At every game last year, the fans sang his name all the time, but I haven’t heard one Ronaldo song since the start of pre-season.

“The fans just want to blank him and, if he is going to get that adulation back, he will have to earn it.

“I’m sure he will turn it on again, though, and I don’t think his relationship with the fans has gone forever.”

Ronaldo is likely to be on the bench tonight as United host Spaniards Villarreal.

Fergie is expecting a big improvement after the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday.

He said: “That was a disappointment. We did not cope with Liverpool’s tackling.

“They forged a victory out of winning the ball and we got careless in our defending.

“If you want to compete at the top level you have to compete as hard as Liverpool did.”

United will be hot favourites to make it out of Group E, which also contains Celtic and Danish side Aalborg.

But United’s opening group stage of the 2005-06 tournament will serve as a warning against any complacency.

That was the last time they met Villarreal — and came bottom of the group behind them Benfica and Lille.

Ferguson added: “That was a real low point. It was a difficult period for us, we had a lot of young players.”

If Ferguson successfully defends the European Cup he will join Anfield legend Bob Paisley as the only managers to have won the competition three times.

Fergie said: “As a club, we should have won it more times and to win it again and take our tally to four will be much more acceptable.”

England midfielder Michael Carrick is out for six weeks after breaking his foot, while Paul Scholes is suspended tonight after being sent-off in the Super Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg.

Dimitar Berbatov also looks set to miss out on his Champions League debut after picking up a knee injury against Liverpool.