MUM'S the word for Cristiano Ronaldo as the saga over his United future rumbles on wildly, while the Glazers have denied reports they have spoken to Real Madrid.

Although the Reds' 42-goal double Footballer of the Year has finally vowed to stay silent until after Portugal's Euro 2008 programme, his mother has spoken out.

Ronaldo had been quoted on a Brazilian website saying, "I would like to play for Real Madrid - but only if it is true they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask of them. However, it does not depend on me."

Having given the Spaniards that fresh encouragement, he vowed to stay tight-lipped on the subject until after the European Championships.

But his mum, Dolores Aveiro, has indicated her son will still be at the Euro and Premiership champions next season.

"He is fine where he is," she told Portuguese TV. Only God knows the future, but it is certain that he will continue in Manchester."

In the will-he, won't-he battle of quotes - these represent encouraging words for United as they attempt to cling on to their 23-year-old ace.

Madrid are Ronaldo's mum's No 1 side and she said earlier in the year: "They are my favourite team, the best in the world.

"If one day Cristiano were to leave England then I would really like to see him go to Madrid. I would not like to die without seeing my son playing there, then I could go knowing that my dream was fulfilled."

But for the moment she believes her dream is in the future.

Reports have now suggested that Real have been conducting talks with the Glazers direct and have gone behind the backs of chief executive David Gill and manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

But that suggestion has enraged the American owners as they back the battle to keep Ronaldo at Old Trafford.

Refute

“The family categorically refute the reports that they are talking to Real,” a Glazer spokesman told M.E.N. Sport.

“The Glazers are not at all engaged with Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale.”

Earlier, Real had got in their daily quote on the subject with president Ramon Calderon telling Spanish newspapers: “For our club it is an honour to know that a player like him thinks that playing at Real Madrid would be good.

“We are proud to know that he would like to be with us.”

Portuguese coach Luiz Felipe Scolari later side-stepped talk that he had unsettled Ronaldo by advising him to move to the Bernabeu.

Asked if such advice showed a lack of respect for Ferguson, Scolari said: "It's not a lack of respect.

"Your question is disrespectful. You must be sure if I said it or not. You're supposing I said it, or you read it somewhere and then you imagine I said it.

"If you don't know, then you cannot make this kind of allegation. You should not be making this kind of allegation to me. You don't know it for sure."

 Meanwhile, sports lawyer Mel Goldberg believes United would have a good case if they did decide to take their objections to world football's governing body FIFA.

 But predicts that, even if the Spanish giants were found guilty of breaking the rules, any punishment would be minimal and the Spaniards would get their man.

 Goldberg said: “If Real Madrid are reported to FIFA, they will probably only get a rap on the knuckles.

 “I don't know whether Real Madrid would be expelled from for example, the European Cup or whether they would be deducted points in the league.

 “What FIFA would probably say is you cannot keep a player against his will if he is not happy and wants to go elsewhere.

“They would probably get a minor rap on the knuckles but the deal would go through as FIFA would say you can't keep a player against his will.”