Patrick Snell's Football Mailbag

(CNN) -- CNN World Sport's Patrick Snell answers your football questions.

Q: Patrick -- why would Cristiano Ronaldo even consider leaving Manchester United at this point in his career?
Gregory, Paris

A: Hi Gregory -- This is a hot topic right now. I would personally be very surprised if he ends up at Real Madrid or indeed anywhere but Old Trafford next season. Not with Alex Ferguson in typically determined mood. The fact is Ronaldo recently signed a long-term contract with the newly crowned European champions and won't be allowed to leave Old Trafford unless it suits Ferguson and the club.

As the veteran Scottish coach and David Gill (United's CEO) both recently said United isn't a selling club and won't be bullied by Madrid. At the time of writing, there's even talk of United reporting the Spanish giants to FIFA over their conduct and the perception at Old Trafford is that they've been trying to unsettle the player.

As I said earlier, United only sell when it suits Ferguson. Van Nistelrooy, Beckham and further back Jaap Stam were all shown the exit door because the manager wanted them out. Simple as that.

The only scenario in which I see Ronaldo possibly leaving this post season is if the player himself is adamant he wants out. It's not healthy for a club to hold onto a player against his wishes. But, that said, this guy is an exceptional talent and it may well be that he's told to knuckle down and get on with it and honor the contract he's just signed.

Time will tell of course but there's no doubt it's a test United and Ferguson could well do without at the moment!