YOKOHAMA — Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has rubbished Real Madrid's claims to have reached a deal with Cristiano Ronaldo over a summer move to the Bernabeu, saying he "wouldn't sell them a virus."

Reports in Spain quoted a Real director as saying the Spanish club has struck a pre-contract agreement with the European player of the year, drawing a stinging rebuke from an irate Ferguson.

"Do you think I would enter into a contract with that mob?" he asked after his side had beaten Gamba Osaka in Thursday night's Club World Cup semifinal.