Carlos Queiroz: Cristiano Ronaldo must stay at Manchester United

Ronaldo's future at United remains uncertain, with speculation rife over a possible move to Real Madrid, although the Spanish club's president Ramon Calderon has claimed he will not break the bank to sign the player.

Calderon insisted last night that Real would "never pay €100million for any player," yet it looks increasingly likely that they will have to, to secure the winger's signature.

On top of that, Calderon is reportedly ready to give the Portuguese a £182,000-a-week contract that would dwarf the wages commanded by players such as Kaka, Michael Ballack and John Terry.

Calderon, though, has admitted there is little his club can do if United do not want to sell the 23-year-old. The Premier League champions even responded to Real's overtures by insisting they would rather play Ronaldo in the reserves than sell him.

This, though, could play into Ronaldo's hands. According to the Star, under the rules of player transfers he would be able to terminate his contract due to 'Sporting Just Cause'.

Section IV rule 15 of the regulations states that if a footballer plays in less than 10 per cent of his club's games during a season, he can leave.

Queiroz, however, does not believe this will happen and that Old Trafford remains the best place for Ronaldo to play his football.

"Manchester United is very special," Queiroz said.

"Because of that we know how to surround Cristiano completely with all the affection and all the attention he deserves.

"However, not speaking is the most sensible course of action at this moment, so that we don't contribute to a less than positive spectacle and so we don't aid those whose interests are difficult to identify."

Queiroz is something of a father figure to Ronaldo at United and was instrumental in keeping the player at Old Trafford in 2006 following his role in Wayne Rooney's dismissal in that year's World Cup quarter-final between Portugal and England.

Whether or not Ronaldo sticks or twists could depend on the future of Queiroz, who has been linked with the Portugal coaching post vacated by Luiz Felipe Scolari.

And the 55-year-old former Real Madrid coach did not rule himself out of the running.

"I'm not going to put myself on the market," Queiroz said.

"Because the decision on the national coach should not be a result of those who make themselves candidates, but a decision that is conscious, rational and based on what the Federation judges is necessary for the team.

"I'm not going to tell you whether or not I'm contacted, that way I know for sure that it will be dealt with in due form and in due place."