updated 11:59 a.m. ET Jan. 13, 2009

MANCHESTER, England - Alex Ferguson said Cristiano Ronaldo owes his personal glory to Manchester United, and the manager brushed off new reports the Portugal winger will join Real Madrid this summer.

The Spanish media reports emerged hours after Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award, completing a clean sweep of football's top individual honors for 2008.

"We are all proud of him achieving that (FIFA) status," Ferguson said Tuesday. "We think he owes a lot to Manchester United in that respect."

Despite spending the offseason pleading for a move, Ronaldo was stopped by Ferguson from joining Madrid as he is under contract at Old Trafford until 2012.

Ferguson said Tuesday he expected Ronaldo to be the subject of heightened transfer speculation again.

"We're not fazed by that now anyway — we have to accept it happens," Ferguson said.

Spanish journalist Guilem Balague claimed on his Web site Tuesday that a verbal agreement has been reached between Ronaldo's agent and the Spanish champions for a summer transfer.

Madrid is prepared to spend up to $152 million on the transfer, Balague said, adding that United will command a higher fee due to the plummeting value of the pound and strength of the euro.

The 23-year-old Ronaldo was honored Monday for his dominating displays and sparkling goals in leading Manchester United to both the Premier League and Champions League titles in May. He received 136 first-place votes and 935 points in a worldwide poll of national team captains and coaches.

Ronaldo praised Ferguson's inspirational role in helping to nurture his talents.

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"It's true that the manager always has an important role to play," Ronaldo said. "It was a great season for me and for my club, and the coach was important for me because I learned a lot for him.

"His experience over so many years is of paramount importance — it's a privilege to have such a great club manager. I am lucky to be part of the history of a club like Manchester United."

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