Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill might have hoped to draw a line under Cristiano Ronaldo’s future by insisting that he will remain at Manchester United, but the player, it seems, has other ideas.

Ronaldo was told at a meeting with Ferguson in Lisbon a week ago that he would not be sold, an uncompromising stance echoed at the weekend by Gill, the chief executive. But that appears to have done little to dissuade the Portugal forward in his attempt to broker a move to Real Madrid.

Although Ronaldo claimed in an interview yesterday with ESPN, the American sports broadcaster, that he would remain “motivated” if he stays at Old Trafford, he was again ambiguous when asked about his future and refused to state his commitment to the Barclays Premier League and European champions.

“I’ve had hundreds of questions about Manchester United and Real Madrid,” Ronaldo, who is on holiday in Los Angeles while he recovers from the ankle surgery that will rule him out of action until October, said. “What do you want me to say? That I’m going or I’m staying? I don’t know about the future, only God knows it. I can’t say any more.”

With Ferguson having made his position clear during a frank discussion with Ronaldo, it remains to be seen how the United manager reacts to the latest outburst, although by publicly defying his manager so soon after their meeting, Ronaldo is playing a dangerous game. Ferguson was incensed by Ronaldo’s insinuation that his predicament was tantamount to slavery and the Scot may have no alternative but to fine a player who has failed to heed the warnings.

It is an awkward position for Ferguson. David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane were past their best when they were ushered towards the exit, but while Ferguson wants to keep Ronaldo, a player at the peak of his powers, he will not be messed around. Ronaldo, nonetheless, seems unfazed by the prospect of another confrontation.

“Great players are always hounded by great clubs,” Ronaldo said. “It’s a normal situation. There are other great players who are in the market who are good and who other clubs want. I have always been hounded, not only this year. It’s not strange for me to see what happens.

“I want to be happy, regardless of where I play. I can be happy everywhere if I am with people I like, if I am animated, motivated. Am I motivated to continue at United? I am always motivated. I am ambitious and I want to always improve. I don’t know the future, but I will be motivated.”

Some have suspected that Ronaldo’s badgering for a move to Real is an attempt to get an improved contract out of United, but Gill has insisted that the player will not be given a new deal, having signed a five-year contract worth £120,000 a week in April last year. Gill also insisted that Ronaldo has not been told that he can leave next summer as a reward for staying for another season and urged the player to show “some commitment and loyalty”.