Manchester United could lean on Nike to land Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Sunday Mirror says Ferguson will ask Manchester United to pay whatever it takes to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo has an £800m buy-out clause in his ­contract but Real president Florentino Perez is so angry with the lack of respect the winger has shown that it has been ­muted he will consider anything in excess of £100million.

That would really test Ferguson's claim that ­United's owners have never turned him down when it comes to transfer targets.

Ronaldo's commercial value to United would be massive - and shirt ­manufacturers Nike could play a part in ­any deal.