Ferguson is convinced he will not yield and an Old Trafford insider revealed to The Sun: "It has become a point of principle, not money.

"As far as the club are concerned the size of any offer from Real Madrid is totally irrelevant.

"It isn't a question of seeing how much United can get for Cristiano, it is more a case of the repercussions if he was sold.

"There is a genuine fear of where would it all stop if a player is allowed to go as soon as he decides he wants away."