Manchester Airport is pursuing an insurance claim against Cristiano Ronaldo for the damage the Manchester United winger caused when he crashed his Ferrari in a tunnel last month, airport officials confirmed today.

The Portuguese winger walked away uninjured after he wrote off his sports car in the accident on 8 January. His vehicle bounced off the walls of the tunnel on the A538, which takes traffic under the runways between Wilmslow and Hale.

His £200,000 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Spider then struck a metal handrail which guarded an emergency-exit door and came to a halt when one of the wheels came off. It is understood the repairs to damaged brickwork, buckled railings and the smashed exit door will cost around £20,000.

"Part of the airport's infrastructure was damaged in a road traffic accident and as is normal practice our insurers are talking to the other party's insurance company," a Manchester Airport spokesperson said.

The 23-year-old was driving to United's Carrington training ground near Sale when the collision took place. His team-mate Edwin van der Sar was travelling behind him at the time of the crash and later gave him a lift to training. Greater Manchester Police continue to investigate the incident.