Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbished claims Cristiano Ronaldo could buy out his contract in 12 months' time.

Sir Alex told the Daily Star Sunday: "No one has ever tried to buy out their contract with two years left and I think the big clubs would definitely shy away from that, because it could happen to them. I don't think that will be an issue in football."

The United boss believes Ronaldo has now put behind him a summer of speculation, in which he also had to undergo an ankle operation.

Fergie said: "He's getting over that. He's fine and his training is fantastic - he's getting better and scoring goals again."