By ANTONY KASTRINAKIS and NEIL CUSTIS

Published: Today

REAL MADRID are praying Cristiano Ronaldo will go on STRIKE as Manchester United declared war on the Spaniards.


Madrid were yesterday bragging that Ronaldo has already agreed to join them.

But United are convinced the 23-year-old is the victim of a Real dirty-tricks campaign and have offically reported the club to football’s governing body FIFA.

And, as the tug-of-war turns uglier by the minute, we can reveal the Spaniards are now hoping Ronaldo will refuse to play again for Alex Ferguson in a bid to force United to sell.


Madrid president Ramon Calderon insists Ronaldo wants to move and has already AGREED a staggering £12million-a-year deal.


He told a close pal: “We’ve tied things up with the kid. The only thing that remains is for him to convince Manchester to sell.”


The way Ronaldo will ‘convince’ United is by staging a one-man strike before the transfer window closes on August 31.


As SunSport revealed yesterday, Ronaldo was quoted on a Brazilian website admitting he wanted to join Real.


That left Calderon bragging: “It gives us great pride to know that a player like him thinks playing for Real Madrid would be good.


“We’re proud to know he would like to be with us.”


But United boss Ferguson has already said he would rather see Ronaldo rot in the reserves than go to their biggest rivals.


Former United legend Bryan Robson believes Ronaldo should forget about Real.


He said: “How did they do in the Champions League last year?


“Cristiano is on a massive contract at United so I don’t see any reason to move to Real.”