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Ronaldo 'to miss start of new season' after surgery

07/07/2008

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to miss the start of the 2008/09 Premier League season after undergoing an operation on his ankle.

The 23-year-old Portuguese international, who has been continually linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer, was told by a specialist yesterday that he would need the operation to correct a long-standing problem.

And this morning Ronaldo went under the knife at the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam, with world-renowned surgeon Niek van Dijk - who is an experienced ankle and knee specialist - carrying out the work.

The operation has been necessary for around three months, according to reports, but it had been put off at the player's own request until after Euro 2008.

His recovery is expected to take at least six weeks, meaning he may not return to training until the middle of August at the earliest.

A statement from United this afternoon reads: "Initial indications are that the procedure was successful.

"Cristiano will begin his convalescence under the direction of club medical staff and an estimation of his return to full fitness will be possible following a review by the specialist in one month."

Ronaldo scored 42 goals for United last season as he played a major part in the team's Premier League and Champions League-winning campaign.