YOKOHAMA, Dec 20: Captain Gary Neville has joined boss Sir Alex Ferguson in insisting Cristiano Ronaldo is going nowhere, as Real Madrid hit back at Manchester United’s “sad” comments.

“There should be a level of respect shown between the clubs, but we can’t do anything about the speculation. All we can do is look after our own situation,” said Neville.

“Cristiano is our player and he will continue to be our player as long as we want to keep him. The manager has already said that.

“Manchester United don’t let players go that they don’t want to sell, it’s as simple as that. And they want to keep Ronaldo,” he added on the club website.

Ferguson lashed out at Real Madrid on Thursday as new rumours swirled about a Ronaldo move to the Bernabeu at the end of the season, saying he would not “sell them a virus.” Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon, who like Ferguson is in Japan, termed the comments “sad.”

“In the code of conduct of our club, there is no room for insults, for scorn nor for a lack of respect for our rivals. Perhaps for this reason, Real Madrid is respected in all corners of the world,” Calderon said in a statement.

“It is sad that a professional with the career of Mr. Ferguson can make a statement like that, which is in addition to other unfortunate statements made in recent months.

“Despite these, Real Madrid will never respond without respect to Manchester United, to any of its officials, nor of course to its supporters.” Calderon also confirmed that there was “no agreement” between the two clubs on a Ronaldo transfer, as alleged by Spanish media.

Ronaldo was touted all summer as an 80 million euro (115 million dollars, 74 million pounds) Real target, with United furious at the Spaniards’ constant efforts to prise him away from Manchester.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

PTI in disarray
Updated 30 Nov, 2024

PTI in disarray

PTI’s protest plans came abruptly undone because key decisions were swayed by personal ambitions rather than political wisdom and restraint.
Tired tactics
30 Nov, 2024

Tired tactics

Matiullah's arrest appears to be a case of the state’s overzealous and misplaced application of the law.
Smog struggle
30 Nov, 2024

Smog struggle

AS smog continues to shroud parts of Pakistan, an Ipsos survey highlights the scope of this environmental hazard....
Solidarity with Palestine
Updated 29 Nov, 2024

Solidarity with Palestine

The wretched of the earth see in the Palestinian struggle against Israel a mirror of themselves.
Little relief for public
29 Nov, 2024

Little relief for public

INFLATION, the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services over a given period of time, has receded...
Right to education
29 Nov, 2024

Right to education

IT is troubling to learn that over 16,500 students of the University of Karachi (KU) have defaulted on fee payments...