Loyalty from Ronaldo

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Manchester United chief executive David Gill has called on Cristiano Ronaldo to show his commitment and loyalty to the club.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told the Portugal international striker, who is currently recovering from an ankle operation which will keep him out of action for three months, he will not be sold to Real Madrid.

And Gill said the 23-year-old should now show his commitment to the club with which he won the Premier League and Champions League double last season.

"The player is under contract so the strength and the rights are with Manchester United," said Gill.

"I think we've been pretty clear all along that Ronaldo has got a contract until 2012, he's a valuable member of the team and that's the situation.

"Obviously there's some issues there, but that's for Alex and is why Alex had the meeting, to discuss things and put our point of view.

"I'm sure Cristiano put his point of view and hopefully we can move forward.

"All we were doing, effectively, is saying we clearly have a player who is one of the best in the world.

"He entered into a new contract, his third with us, only 18 months after his previous one.

"With that, we believe, go some responsibilities and obligations.

"There was an increased salary and we clearly feel there has to be some commitment and loyalty and he can't just say, 'I've entered into it, but I'll leave a year down the line', especially after the season we've just had.

"It's a two-way street and contracts are entered into with a view to getting that kind of commitment."

When asked if Ronaldo would be offered a new contract, Gill said: "No. He only entered into the previous contract 18 months before and in terms of where he's at in our wage hierarchy he's doing pretty well."

Gill said however he did not believe the player was just trying to get a higher salary from United.

"Possibly, but not necessarily, and if the figures bandied around that Real Madrid are talking about are true, we wouldn't go anywhere near that. That would be lunacy," he added.

Real are reportedly willing to pay 85 million euros (118 million US dollars) to sign Ronaldo, the English Premiership's top scorer last season.