Cristiano Ronaldo is confident Manchester United will agree to sell him to Real Madrid.

The Observer says the Portuguese has instructed his agent, Jorge Mendes, to begin negotiating an immediate exit from Old Trafford. At the same time, Mendes has been mandated by Real to offer a cash-plus-player deal.

Brazil's Robinho and Wesley Sneijder of Holland head the list with which Real hope to tempt Sir Alex Ferguson, with the Spanish club's opening offer expected to be €40 million plus one of the two. Ronaldo, due to go on holiday, is said to be confident that United will accept that his departure is inevitable.

United said on Friday that they 'are not listening to offers' and that the 23-year-old is 'not for sale'. Ronaldo, who is a single season into a five-year contract, has yet to speak to Ferguson, but insists he will stand up to any attempt by the manager to change his mind.

"There are many possibilities for me to play for Real Madrid, but they do not depend on me," he said. "I will announce my decision and everyone knows what it is. Everyone has a dream to chase and I'm going to chase mine."