'Slave' Ronaldo told to go by angry Manchester United fan protest

Cristiano Ronaldo is facing an angry backlash from Manchester United fans who waved a banner demanding: "Ronaldo slave out".

Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford has been thrown into further doubt after a demonstration against him at a reserve friendly fixture at the weekend.

The Portuguese winger has been given a stark reminder of how his summer spent courting a move to Real Madrid has angered supporters who once idolised him.

Fans chanted their frustration at Ronaldo and held up their banner during a friendly against Burscough, which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side won 3-1, watched by 500.

Ronaldo is the subject of ridicule after last week agreeing with FIFA president Sepp Blatter that he was a "slave" for being held to his contract at United, rather than being given the green light to make a £70million move to the Bernabeu.

If the weekend demonstration spreads and represents the majority view of Old Trafford fans then Ronaldo will face a struggle to win back the terraces - if he plays for United following injury.

The latest flare-up could push United a step closer to cashing in on the 42- goal star, who only 54 days ago helped United lift the European Cup and immediately insisted: "I stay."

But boss Sir Alex Ferguson is determined not to be ruled by the wishes of one of his players and has the backing of the Old Trafford hierarchy, including the Glazers, to ensure Ronaldo serves out at least part of the three years remaining on his contract.

United fan Johnny Hampton said: "The fans are the slaves not the players. I started work at four this morning and come straight here to watch the Reds.

"I've not finished paying for my trip to Moscow yet and I will have to work Saturday and Sunday until September.

"It takes me seven years to earn what Ronaldo gets in a week and although he is a great player it is time for him to go, and go soon."

Ferguson has called off a meeting in Lisbon today in which he was due to hold talks with Ronaldo and will instead prepare his squad for a three-game tour of South Africa. The pair are due to meet at United's Carrington training base on July 28.

The 23-year-old has had an ankle operation that will keep him out for the first part of the seaon, but Madrid still want to seal a contract worth £160,000 a week. The Portuguese national team physiotherapist confirmed last night that he will be out for at least three months.

Last week Blatter said: "I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere."

Ronaldo has found himself ridiculed for saying he "agreed" with Blatter, adding: "There is no agreement with Real Madrid and I still don't know where I will be playing next season."

Ferguson refused to respond to Blatter's assertion that Ronaldo is a "slave", saying only: "We're here to talk about football."

Ferguson will take his squad on tour to South Africa later this week and says he will not make any quick decisions over replacing assistant boss Carlos Queiroz, who has taken charge of Portugal's national side.

He said: "It's certainly disappointing to lose Carlos, but when national teams come in, the attraction was too big.

"Carlos did a great job for us, though, and that's what we have to remember.

"There is no search underway as yet. We will just take our time as we always do. We will wait and see how things unfold."