Ferguson accuses Real Madrid and Barcelona over Ronaldo

MANCHESTER, England, Mar 18 (Reuters) Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has accused Real Madrid and Barcelona of using his winger Cristiano Ronaldo as a bargaining tool in their internal politics.

The two Spanish giants have been linked with a move for the Portuguese international but Ferguson believes part of the speculation is fired by propaganda in the presidency battles at Real and Barcelona.

''Let's be perfectly clear about Real Madrid and Barcelona,'' Ferguson told reporters. ''Their elections are in the summer.

''Since I have been at United and elections have been on in these two clubs, the best players in the world are used. There's no doubt about that.'' Ferguson said the in-form Ronaldo was aware of the situation at Real and Barcelona.

''Make no mistake, Cristiano is intelligent enough to realise he is being used as a pawn,'' said the Scot.

''It may be right that they want him. That may be correct but there's no doubt there's another motive to it and that's their elections.'' United want to secure Ronaldo on a new contract until 2012 and have already opened talks with the 22-year-old and his advisers over a proposed two-year extension to his existing deal.

Ronaldo has been outstanding for United this season, scoring 17 goals.

The winger helped the Premier League leaders to a 4-1 win over Bolton Wanderers yesterday which maintained their six-point advantage over Chelsea at the top.

Ferguson is optimistic Ronaldo will stay at Old Trafford.

''I am confident (chief executive) David Gill will come to the right deal with his advisers,'' said the United manager.

REUTERS PDS PM0435