MANCHESTER UNITED face an almighty battle to land Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Premier League champions hope to sign the world superstar for £65million — and complete the biggest transfer in British football history.

United want to unveil Ronaldo on August 8 and then play him in Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against Sevilla the day after.

But Ronaldo himself last night delivered Old Trafford chiefs a blow, insisting he has still not ruled out a new deal with Real Madrid.

He said: “I’m calm. I’m not worried about it, I know we are going to reach an agreement to sign a new deal and for that if I am honest, I’m not preoccupied about it.”

Ronaldo’s representatives have reportedly demanded around £35m a year gross wages PLUS all his image rights.

As it stands Madrid are offering around £30m a year and the same 60-40 per cent split on his image rights worth in excess of £20m a year.

United’s plan is to pay Ronaldo, 28, a basic salary in excess of £300,000 a week to make him the highest-paid player in English football.

It is understood ‘informal’ meetings between third parties have been going on for over a year.