Despite revelations that Manchester United owe creditors £764m, the Champions League finalists will be not be tempted to cash in on Cristiano Ronaldo, according to club chief executive David Gill. The winger sparked transfer rumours earlier this week after telling Spanish television that he would consider his future after Wednesday's game against Chelsea.

But Gill maintained that Ronaldo, who has scored 41 goals in all competitions so far this season, was worth more on the pitch than in the bank. "In order to service our debts we need a very successful team, and you don't achieve that by selling Cristiano Ronaldo," said Gill. "We have no intention of letting him go, we will make sure that he's very happy here, as we do with all our top players. He enjoys it immensely here, you can tell that when you speak to him privately. Why would he want to leave?"

Yesterday, Real Madrid manager Bernd Schuster poured water on reports that the 23-year-old would sign for the Spanish champions by admitting it would be unlikely that he would be able to prize United's prize asset from the club.

"He's got four more years [on his contract] until 2012, he's been with us for five years and we're sure he'll be with us for many years to come," confirmed Gill. "He's clearly one of the best players in the world and he's at a great club, winning trophies.

"Manchester United are not a club that sells its main assets."