Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed as "nonsense" speculation linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a summer move to Real Madrid, who are reportedly preparing a world-record bid for the Portugal forward.

The 22-year-old signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford last April and Ferguson insists he will be staying.

"I anticipated this," United's manager said. "It happens every year in the new year and you can expect some sort of speculation. The thing with this is, Real are supposed to have spoken to us, and [the chief executive] David Gill is supposed to have spoken to them, but that's just a lie.

"We've never spoken to them and they have never spoken to us. It's mischievous to the best part, but I just dismiss it because it is nonsense. Who wouldn't be interested in Ronaldo? That's why we bought him." Ferguson added that he would not be buying any players during the transfer window.

"Everyone is trying to play a game, make speculation, but it's the name of the game with Manchester United and we're not making any moves at all."