Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had final say on accepting Real Madrid's £80 million bid for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Daily Mail says having persuaded Ronaldo to stay at United when Real came calling last summer, the club realised during the early stages of the season just finished that it was right to cash in if the Spaniards came through with the money stipulated in a deal eventually struck in the winter.

And when Ferguson - currently on holiday on the Cote D'Azur - was informed that £80m was still on the table this week, he instructed the United board to accept the bid.

United confirmed a deal had been agreed with a short statement early yesterday morning, and it was subsequently underlined privately that Ferguson would have the money at his disposal.

"It was the manager's decision and it was supported by the board," a spokesman for the Glazers said. "The deal hasn't even been done yet, so we don't know how much will be available, and it would be inappropriate to comment on the use of the funds."