Manchester United are ready to play tough with Cristiano Ronaldo if he attempts to go on strike.

The Sunday Mirror says Old Trafford bosses will get tough in their fight to keep the Portuguese boy wonder out of the clutches of Real Madrid.

Claims from Madrid that Ronaldo will go on strike to force his £70million move to the Bernabeu sparked a damning response from Old Trafford. A United source said: "If Cristiano decides to go on strike the club would have no hesitation in suspending him and stopping his wages with immediate effect.

"We hope it won't come to this."