Bale of the Century

Manchester United is ready to smash the world transfer record to prove there is life after Alex Ferguson.

The Glazers will hand new boss David Moyes more money than ever before to land Cristiano Ronaldo OR Gareth Bale.

Ronaldo yesterday opened the door to a return to Old Trafford by insisting his future at Real Madrid is far from certain.

But if he signs a new deal at Real, Moyes is set to splash a record £85million to land Tottenham’s double Footballer of the Year, Bale.

United’s American owners are determined the club will continue to be a major European force despite Fergie’s retirement.

Ronaldo, 28, remains United’s No 1 target and yesterday tweeted: “All the news about my renewal with Real Madrid are false.”

It suggests Ronaldo is irritated by Madrid president Florentino Perez claiming the Portuguese superstar will be staying at Real.

Perez said: “I’d bet Cristiano will retire at Madrid because it’s the natural thing.”

Ronaldo has two years left on his Real deal but his tweet made it clear he could be available.

And United would be prepared to beat the record £80m they received from Real for Ronaldo in 2009.

Spurs are desperate to keep Bale, 23, but a world record fee would be impossible to reject. The Welshman is also wanted by Real and Paris Saint-Germain.

And United believe Bale moving to Real would trigger Ron’s release. United’s record buy is Dimitar Berbatov, who cost £30.75m in 2007