It’s clear that in three seasons time, someone else will be manager of Manchester United. However, there are signs that Sir Alex Ferguson could be replaced sooner rather than later, if the Daily Telegraph are to be believed. They claim that if Real Madrid manage to successfully capture Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, it will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for the Scot. Surely his short-term future doesn’t depend on whether this transfer takes place or not, does it?

Ferguson is said to have been unsettled by reports suggesting that Real Madrid intend to circumvent traditional transfer procedures and go straight to Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, to facilitate a deal. The Spanish club will offer £75 million direct to the owners, who are in excess of £600 million in debt.

A source close to Ferguson explained: “Sir Alex has put his foot down. He is so adamant that if the club dared to cash in on Ronaldo against his wishes, it wouldn’t surprise me if he walked out.”

Perhaps SAF is playing a high-risk strategy, making Cristiano Ronaldo think that little bit harder about whether he actually wants to leave Old Trafford. Does the player want to be known as someone who forced Fergie to retire as Manchester United manager? It’s also possible that the above is poppycock, although the Telegraph generally don’t indulge in idle speculation to anywhere near the same extent as the red-tops.