Manchester United look set to be without Cristiano Ronaldo for the start of the new Premier League campaign, but the club insist it will not be because he is being sold to Real Madrid.

The Portuguese winger is set to undergo ankle surgery next week, which will keep him sidelined for up to six weeks.

The United superstar visited a specialist in the week and, with the backing of the Old Trafford medical team and the Portuguese Football Federation, will go under the knife sometime next week.

The news came on the day the Red Devils rubbished fresh reports from Spain that the 23-year-old will sign for Real, the latest claiming he will move within a matter of days.

But a club spokesman said: "It is utter nonsense and totally laughable. Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale."