Tosic: Players Knew Ron exit Plan

Zoran Tosic has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo confided in his team-mates months ago that he wanted to quit Manchester United.

The Serbian winger, 22, says Ronaldo was on his way to Real Madrid long before his £80million transfer came to light a week ago.

Tosic, signed by manager Sir Alex Ferguson in January for £8m from Partizan Belgrade, is now keen to grab Ronaldo's first team slot next season.

But he admits it will be impossible to fill the Portuguese star's boots because he was "United's best player and will keep proving himself the best in the world".

Ronaldo told him well before the end of their title-winning campaign that he had won everything possible at Old Trafford, including a collection of individual accolades, and it was time to move on.

Tosic said: "Ronaldo told us he'd won all the awards and he wanted to try something else. I don't know if he had already signed for Real Madrid.

"He's going to be, yet again, the best player in the world.

"Last season he scored 42 goals, this time 27 and they all said it's his worst season, not enough! In Madrid he will be again the best.

"Cristiano was probably the best player in the team and so someone extra will come to take his place."