Manchester Utd star remains aloof in Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo is supposed to have his post-summer holiday showdown with Sir Alex Ferguson in Manchester today, and the British press seem to be assuming that the player will acquiesce to his club’s demands and play for another season. The Spanish tabloids, however, are painting a different story.

According to Marca, he will not return to Manchester for the dreaded hairdryer session. Yesterday, they found the tricky winger in a clinic in Lisbon, where he refused to comment and risk the ‘ongoing negotiations’ between Real Madrid and Manchester Utd.

Reportedly, Ronny will soon return to Amsterdam for another ankle consultation, after which he will ‘return to his home and wait’. Marca do not seem too concerned with the trifling detail that his ‘home’ is in Manchester.

UPDATE: Some media outlets are claiming Ronaldo isn’t due back today, but rather later in the week.