Cristiano Ronaldo says possibilities of him joining Real Madrid are "great"

Cristiano Ronaldo hinted he was ready to quit Manchester United last night.

Ronaldo stalked off the pitch at the final whistle in Basle after Michael Ballack had sent his new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari spinning out of Euro 2008.

Ballack's controversial header gained personal revenge for Chelsea's Champions League and title near-misses.

As Scolari accused the Swedish referee of missing a blatant foul by Ballack on clubmate Paulo Ferreira, Ronaldo made his biggest step yet towards the Old Trafford exit door.

Ronaldo, who revealed he has been playing with a foot injury which needs a small operation, said: "The possibilities of my moving to Real Madrid are great but as I've always said, it doesn't depend on me.

"In the next few days we will see if we can arrive at an agreement. I have many desires and soon they will become clear."

The tone suggested Sir Alex Ferguson will erupt in fury but last night it was his new managerial rival Scolari who was in angry mood as he said: "The giant screen showed that Ballack pushed Ferreira before he scored.

"If it's a foul, it has to be given. But we changed the markers and we stopped. You can't trust anybody on the pitch."

Portugal have lost both their Euro 2008 games after Scolari announced he is going to Chelsea but asked if that decision had contributed to the defeat, he insisted: "No. No. No. No.

"If I hadn't announced I was going to Chelsea we would still have lost the two games. We lost because we didn't do things right or with more quality.

"I chose the players and the tactics and I take responsibility. I promised the people of Portugal the semi-finals and I failed them."

Ballack insisted Germany deserved their triumph and a last-four date with Croatia or Turkey on Wednesday.

He said: "After the defeat by Croatia, we had moments of doubt but nowyou have seen the true Germany. We showed what this team is capable of when it plays freely and with confidence."