Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has accused Real Madrid and Barcelona of using his winger Cristiano Ronaldo as a bargaining tool in their internal politics.
The two Spanish giants have been linked with a move for the Portuguese international but Ferguson believes part of the speculation is fired by propaganda in the presidency battles at Real and Barcelona.
“Let’s be perfectly clear about Real Madrid and Barcelona,” Ferguson told reporters. “Their elections are in the summer.
“Since I have been at United and elections have been on in these two clubs, the best players in the world are used. There’s no doubt about that.”
Ferguson said the in-form Ronaldo was aware of the situation at Real and Barcelona.
“Make no mistake, Cristiano is intelligent enough to realise he is being used as a pawn,” said the Scot.
[Source]