Michel Salgado has hinted Wesley Sneijder's injury could prompt Real Madrid to step up their pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Dutchman's injury could increase need for winger
Michel Salgado has hinted Wesley Sneijder's injury could prompt Real Madrid to step up their pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Madrid have been continually linked with the Portugal winger since the end of last season, despite United's insistence that he is not for sale and their complaint to Fifa over Real's pursuit of the player.
Sneijder suffered a knee injury in Sunday's Emirates Cup defeat to Arsenal which could sideline him for up to six months - depriving Real of one of their main creative threats.
The Holland international left the field on a stretcher after an hour following a heavy challenge by Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby as Madrid went down 1-0 with the club fearing Sneijder suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury.
Salgado insists he does not know anything about the progress of the transfer but believes the club could now attempt to force the issue with United.
"We (the players) don't know anything about it," said Salgado. "It's a problem for the club - for (sporting director) Pedja Mijatovic and the coach.
"We are players, we only think about football.
"But now Wesley Sneijder is injured and he's an important player for us.
"Maybe tomorrow there will be a meeting with the people in the club and maybe then there's going to be news about this."
Welcome
Salgado also claims the players and the fans would welcome Ronaldo to the Bernabeu with open arms.
"We know Cristiano Ronaldo is an incredible player and we don't have any problem with him joining us," he added.
"Real Madrid making an offer is normal. Manchester United and (coach Sir Alex) Ferguson don't want this because he is a very important player at United and that is normal too.
"I think they're going to have to talk about this and if Cristiano Ronaldo is coming to Real Madrid the dressing room is waiting for him.
"If he came of course the players and the fans would be excited. The supporters are used to watching the best players in the world at the Bernabeu and Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world."
While Salgado admits the Portugal international would be a great addition to the team, he also claims the Primera Liga champions would cope well without his services.
"We have a very important group now," he added. "I feel the best of Real Madrid is the squad and the dressing room and if Cristiano is coming here we don't have room for him in the team.
"But, as I said before maybe with the injury to Wesley Sneijder maybe we need someone else."
Future
Salgado is well qualified to judge the needs of Madrid having been at the Bernabeu since 1999.
The Spain veteran claims he cannot see himself leaving anytime soon, but revealed he would consider a move to England if he ever does move on.
"I've been 10 years in Real Madrid," said Salgado. "It would be very difficult to move.
"But if I move from Real Madrid I'd love to go to the Premier League or Dubai."
