Ronaldo has wanted out for last seven months

Cristiano Ronaldo believes Manchester United owe him a "dream" transfer to Real Madrid as reward for his record-breaking efforts during the club's Premier and Champions League-winning season -- a move the Portugal international decided to pursue as long ago as December.

On a weekend in which Arsene Wenger said that Alex Ferguson will appear "weak" if he allows Ronaldo to leave for the Bernabeu, details have emerged about the manner in which the player has planned the possible departure. Contrary to reports that Ronaldo's representative Jorge Mendes has manufactured a situation in which his client would profit from a transfer and contract worth a potential €200m, the agent has persistently asked Ronaldo to remain at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo first informed Mendes that he intended to join Madrid seven months ago, saying that he was prepared to go to United's board to explain that his dream was to play for the Spanish club. Though Mendes persuaded the player not to talk to United then, arguing that he would be crazy to leave them at this stage in his career, Ronaldo insisted he would depart at the end of the season.

"He told Jorge that United were going to win everything," a source said. "Ronaldo thought that if he played a great season, United would be grateful enough to let him go."

In April, as United closed in on the double, Mendes again had to talk Ronaldo down from informing Ferguson of his desire to sign for Madrid. Ronaldo did not, however, alter his end-of-season intentions and after winning both competitions, both of England's player-of-the-year awards and scoring 42 goals, believed he had done enough to earn United's grace.

In an interview with Brazilian website Terra ahead of Portugal's Euro 2008 campaign, the player publicly stated that he wanted to join Madrid, "if it is true they are eager to pay me and Manchester United what they have been saying they will". After his nation's quarter-final exit, he went further, speaking extensively about the move and adding that "everyone has a dream to chase and I'm going to chase mine".

Ronaldo said so much that night that Madrid are understood to have been unhappy with his comments. Though the Spanish champions have mandated Mendes to negotiate a deal with United, club president Ramon Calderon has subsequently attempted to distance Madrid from the transfer. "It is something between the player and Manchester United," Calderon said last week. "If United consider letting him go, then we will ask."

For his part, Mendes is attempting to tread the fine line between pursuing the wishes of his client, while still hoping to persuade Ronaldo to remain at United for one more season. Improving the terms of the five-season contract they agreed with United last year may provide an escape route for agent and club.

Wenger has offered support for United's public refusal to countenance a sale. During an interview in which he discusses the problems with football's unstable transfer system, the Arsenal manager says he believes Ronaldo will remain at Old Trafford, but warns that Ferguson will appear weak if the sale goes through. Whether Wenger actually believes Ronaldo will play for United next season, or is merely trying to irritate his great rival, is anybody's guess.

"It is not right [what Real Madrid do]," Wenger said. "I think someone should make a stand. Man United has come on strongly at the moment and said no.

"I think Ronaldo will stay, because I cannot see United making the statement they have made if they have no assurance from Ronaldo that he will stay. Once you say he stays, he stays and if he doesn't stay you are weak. If a club of that stature says he will stay, he will stay."

UEFA president Michel Platini was also drawn into the debate yesterday as he publicly endorsed Real Madrid's pursuit of the player.

"Every club in the world would like to have Ronaldo," he said. "It's part of the system we have today. Players move from club to club and I can understand why Real Madrid want him.

"They had Di Stefano and Puskas in the past, and as Ronaldo is considered one of the best or the best player in the world it's normal. If the club has the finances they can do it so; if they don't have the money, they can't."

Rio Ferdinand, however, expects Ronaldo will report for pre- season training with Manchester United -- but concedes he is in the dark over his team-mate's long-term future.

"We'd love him to be with us next season," said Ferdinand. "Whatever happens is going to happen. We're like the fans, we pick up the papers and read what is going on. We know as much as anyone else.

"We will be going to pre- season and I am sure Ronaldo will be there and we will be going with the aim of working hard together and starting off a good new season."