MONTREAL (CBC) - Manchester United has informed Cristiano Ronaldo the club will not offer him a contract with a pay increase to match possible offers by Real Madrid.

United told the winger that he must start displaying "commitment and loyalty" after his recent statements expressing a desire to move to Real Madrid, which is reportedly prepared to offer him a massive raise.

According to United's chief executive David Gill, Ronaldo's comments regarding his desire to move may have been an attempt by the winger to get more money from United.

"Possibly, but not necessarily," Gill said. "And if the figures bandied around that Real Madrid are talking about are true, we wouldn't go anywhere near that. That would be lunacy."

Gill said Ronaldo must honour his four-year contract, which pays the Portugese player $240,000 US a week.

"With that, we believe, go some responsibilities and obligations," Gill said.

"There was an increased salary and we clearly feel there has to be some commitment and loyalty and he can't just say, 'I've entered into it, but I'll leave a year down the line,' especially after the season we've just had."

"It's a two-way street and contracts are entered into with a view to getting that kind of commitment."

United manager Alex Ferguson lodged a complaint with FIFA regarding Madrid's pursuit of Ronaldo. Ferguson flew to Portugal last week to meet with Ronaldo for the first time since the club won the Champions League in May.

Ferguson said after the meeting that he was confident Ronaldo would remain with United, but the 23-year-old winger sounded ambiguous while on holiday in California.

"What do you want me to say? That I'm going or I'm staying?" Ronaldo was quoted by ESPN as saying. "I don't know about the future, only God knows it. I can't say any more," he said.

"Am I motivated to continue at United? I am always motivated," he said. "I am ambitious and I want to always improve. I don't know the future."

In addition to the Champions League, the team won the English league title in May. United defender Rio Ferdinand said the team's accomplishments have been overshadowed by Ronaldo. The team won the English league title and the Champions League in May.

"This summer, given the season we've just had, should have been a time to think about our achievements," Ferdinand said. "In the end, that became impossible because of the stuff going on with Cristiano.

"The players can't wait to see him back. There won't be any problems between Cristiano and the rest of the squad, because we have always stood by what Sir Alex Ferguson has said all along - Cristiano will be a United player next season."

The 23-year-old winger scored 42 goals last season. He has been on vacation in the United States while he recovers from ankle surgery.

With files from the Associated Press

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