Manchester United's Portuguese powerhouse Cristiano Ronaldo is set for a £30,000-per-week pay rise - currently about €35,000. To put it into perspective, that's a weekly rise comfortably above the average annual salary in the UK.

According to a report in the Telegraph, the prolific winger-cum-striker held initial talks with chief executive David Gill and manager Sir Alex Ferguson on Friday, who want to bump up his earnings in order to end speculation linking him with moves to Real Madrid and Inter.

Ferguson is said to have left the meeting in an "upbeat mood", hopeful that his star man will sign an improved deal.

Ronaldo signed a five-year, £120,000 upgrade in April 2007, when Madrid were first sniffing around. Now, United are said to be offering a new £150,000 - again for five years - giving him an £8 million pay packet.

Details are a tad sketchy as to who United's top earner is currently. Some sources put skipper Rio Ferdinand on that throne, estimating a £130,000 weekly payment. In any case, Ronaldo's new deal would make him the club's highest earner officially.

If Ronaldo is currently worth in excess of £50 million, then a new five year deal will skyrocket his value, when one also considers his recent Ballon d'Or recognition.

United continue to take desperate measures in order to shackle their main man, but the 23-year-old himself continues to hint that he'll leave one day, escaping the cold Mancunian weather in order to dazzle in a less physical league.

Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com

 

They can pay him all they want. Then he'll go to Real Madrid. Then he'll be disappointed and disappointing... The formula plays out all the time. The days of Zizou and Figo are over at Madrid.

 

+1 if I were United I'd cash in at the end of the Season he'll never have a season as close as last season not because he isn't capable just because he has nothing to prove