Fresh speculation over Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo's future is again linking him with Real Madrid.

The Sun says Ronaldo has registered his initials as a trademark together with the number NINE - fuelling fears the Manchester United No7 is off to Real Madrid.

The Sun can reveal the digits "CR9" were copyrighted last month in his Portuguese homeland to be used on merchandise or as the name for a restaurant or bar.

Spanish giants Real Madrid - poised to make a world record £70million summer swoop for the winger - were last night said to have promised him their No9 shirt. Skipper Raul will not give up his No7.

Ronaldo, 23, revealed he was learning Spanish after he was this week crowned World Player of the Year.

He also has a sponsorship deal with a Portuguese bank giving them exclusive marketing rights if he goes to Spain.

CR9 was registered by his agent Jorge Mendes at the National Institute of Industrial Property in Lisbon. Ronaldo already has CR7.

Real are said to be ready to pay him £220,000 a week - more than twice his wage at Old Trafford.