Ronaldo's future in England?

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 13: Brazil superstar Ronaldo has told Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson he would like to play for an English club, according to local press reports Wednesday, reports AFP.

Ronaldo had a private meal in Rio de Janeiro with Sir Alex and reportedly claimed that he was attracted to the attacking style of football played in England and was hoping to negotiate a move to the country in the future.

Ronaldo is currently honouring a four-year deal with crack Italian outfit Inter Milan but reportedly told Ferguson that he was studying English to prepare for the future.

Ferguson reportedly told the player he would be "very well received in England".

Club officials meanwhile confirmed that Ronaldo had indeed met Ferguson in a restaurant, but denied claims that their star had told either the United boss or Brazilian journalists that his dream was to play in England.

The 22-year-old former PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona striker arrived in Paris from Rio Wednesday for medical tests on his injured knee at the Salpetriere Hospital in the French capital.

After checking in Ronaldo, accompanied by his wife Milene and two companions, went for tests at around 13:00 GMT.

It was expected that the two time world player of the year would leave for Italy in the evening. On Thursday he is due to begin a rehabilitation programme including gymnastics, cycling and swimming supervised by his personal fitness coach Nilson Petroni.

He should be able to start running again in mid-February, according to Inter.

Ronaldo's visit to Professor Gerard Saillant, who had carried out the knee operation at the Salpetriere 43 days previously, was a success, Inter said from their official website.

"From tomorrow (Thursday), Ronaldo can start the second phase of his rehabilitation, which involves getting back articular mobility, working on the muscles and doing exercises in a swimming pool," it said.

Ronaldo is due another check-up in four weeks' time. If that too is positive, the Inter skipper will be given the all-clear to start training on a football pitch.

The Brazilian partially ruptured a tendon in his right knee on November 21 during his club's match with Serie A rivals Lecce.

Ronaldo was due back in Milan later on Wednesday evening, when his team will be taking on derby rivals AC in an Italian Cup quarter-final, first leg tie at San Siro, just around the corner from his luxury apartment.