Portugal president Gilbert Medail flew to Manchester on Tuesday to offer Queiroz a £1.5million-a-year contract to guide the country to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 

United are understood to be ready to improve Queiroz’s salary by matching that offer in a bid to keep him at Old Trafford, while Portugal are ready to turn to Brazilian legend Zico, who has left Fenerbahce, if Queiroz turns them down. 

Real’s £75million pursuit of Ronaldo shows no sign of abating as they are offering to give United a clear run at signing Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov if they are allowed to get their man.

United hold a long-standing interest in Bulgarian Berbatov and are weighing up a £25m bid, regardless of whether Ronaldo leaves in the next few weeks.