Ruud avoids Ronaldo row

Updated 07.26 Tue Jun 17 2008

Keywords: Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Ruud van Nistelrooy

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is staying out of his club's pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Van Nistelrooy, who made a successful switch from Old Trafford to the Bernabeu two years ago, was quizzed about the possibility of Ronaldo doing the same at a press conference in Lausanne before Holland's clash with Romania.

"I don't think about it (Real's pursuit of Ronaldo). I will leave it up to the clubs and to the player involved. I'll wait and see what happens" - Ruud van Nistelrooy

The striker said: "I don't think about it. I will leave it up to the clubs and to the player involved. I'll wait and see what happens."

Manchester United have lodged an official complaint to Fifa over the Spanish giants' interest in Ronaldo.

Real Madrid claim Manchester United "have no evidence" for their official complaint to Fifa over the star winger.

However, Van Nistelrooy, 31, did not hide his admiration for the Portugal star, who he knows well from the three years they spent together in England.

He said: "Everybody knows what kind of player he is and how he has developed himself as one of the best players in the world at the moment.

"At his age, he is complete. He's a great player and a great person."