Manchester United encouraged over pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos are to dictate their own futures after reports emerged regarding their intention to leave the Bernabeu – suggestions that could trigger interest from Manchester United. Both players are understood to have handed in transfer requests to current president Florentino Perez amid a harrowing season in the Spanish capital.

Los Blancos trail La Liga leaders Barcelona by nine points and have been out of sorts this season, with Zinedine Zidane replacing Rafael Benitez mid-way through the campaign. The France World Cup winner is under pressure to deliver silverware during the remaining months of the term, with the club still in the Champions League.

Ronaldo has come in for particular criticism for the listlessness of his performances, which have failed to match his heroics from previous seasons. The Portugal international and Ramos have been constantly linked with a move to United and though Calderon believes the deal is unlikely, he admits both players control their future.

"I heard this morning that Sergio Ramos and Cristiano are going to Manchester United, but it's always the same at this point of the season," he told TalkSport. "It's clear that agents and many people around them would be interested in sparking this rumour.

"But I don't think [that they've asked to leave]. I'm sure they are all focused on the season. The players would like to change the fate of the team this season, and they will try to win the Champions League, so they won't be thinking about that. Maybe it is true, you never know with these players. If they want to leave they will, but I don't think so at this moment."

After winning nine major honours during six years at the club, Ronaldo still holds great affection for United and has been constantly linked with a return to the Premier League. Ramos' future, meanwhile, was one of the sagas of the last summer transfer window before he signed a new contract with Real.