CRISTIANO Ronaldo is heading for Real Madrid.

After a summer of haggling, followed by 12 months of rumour and speculation, Madrid finally dropped a mega-bid on the Old Trafford mat late on Wednesday night that was enough to end Ronaldo’s six years at Manchester United.

The £68million profit United look set to make on the 24- year-old will be lost amid the frustration at Ronaldo’s exit.

But, bluntly, the world record £80million fee was too much for Sir Alex Ferguson to turn down as he looks to reshape a squad that nearly, but not quite, proved good enough to become the first side to win back-to-back Champions Leagues last month.

Selling your best player does not on the surface appear to be a progressive move.

However, faced with the knowledge Ronaldo’s desire to leave was as strong, if not stronger, than it was 12 months ago, when Ferguson flew out for a face-to-face meeting which persuaded the winger to stay, and the prospect of yet another summer ruined by constant speculation, United's wily manager decided to go with his instinct and cut his losses.

"Manchester United have received a world record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid,’’ said the club in a short statement.

‘‘At the request of Cristiano – who has again expressed his desire to leave – and after discussion with the player’s representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.’’ Further confirmation that United expected the whole process to be concluded by June 30 is bound to raise suspicion that a deal had already been done, given the date is exactly the same as the one that was supposed to trigger a £20million compensation package for Ronaldo from Real if no transfer had been completed.

In addition, United’s growing £650million debt is being questioned by some as a motive for the sale, with some watching very closely to see how much Ferguson gets to spend over the coming weeks.

Old Trafford insiders insist no agreement was in place when Ferguson famously declared during a press conference at the Club World Cup in Yokohama last December that ‘‘he would not sell that mob a virus’’.