The speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United reached a peak yesterday, when the Portugal winger finally admitted he wanted to join Real Madrid.

The player's faltering relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson appears to have deteriorated as the 23-year-old continues to be evasive about committing his future to Old Trafford.

Here is what the key players are saying -

Ronaldo: "I would like to play for Real Madrid - but only if it is true they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask of them. However, it does not depend on me."

"From today, I'm not going to talk about this topic with anyone at all. I'll only talk about this again after the European Championships. Don't ask me any questions, because I won't answer."

Dolores Aveiro, Ronaldo's mother: "He is fine where he is. The future only God knows, but what is sure is that he is going to continue in England."

Ramon Calderon, Real Madrid president: "For Madrid it is an honour to know that a player like him thinks that playing at Real Madrid would be good. We are proud to know that he would like to be with us."

Sir Alex Ferguson: “I'm very confident [he will stay]. It's a game that Real play all the time. They've done it with David Beckham, they've done it with Ruud van Nistelrooy, so we're used to it and it's great in a way because it's a compliment to the standard of players that we have. I am more than confident that Cristiano will be here next year. We want Cristiano to stay for a long time.

“The thing people miss the point about is that I’ve had a couple of meetings with the Glazers. Their attitude is ‘to hell with them’ (Real). They would sit a player in the stand. There’s absolutely no doubt about it. They’d do it just to prove a point and not to give in to these people. They’ve got balls, I can tell you. I’ve been delighted with them in that respect.”

David Gill, Manchester United's chief executive: "Our position is clear. Sir Alex [Ferguson] and I stated it in the last week. That's it. That's all we are going to say on the matter, full stop."

Rio Ferdinand: "This team can get better but we need it to stay together. We have worked hard to get to the position we are in and want to build on the success we have had. That means keeping all the players at the club."

Ruud van Nistelrooy: "He'd be an important signing for Madrid, because this is a club which signs the best players in the world - and that's what Cristiano is. Cristiano could bring a lot of things to this club. He's young; he has everything and a long sporting career ahead of him. For Madrid, he would be a great signing."