Fergie hits back in Calderon war of words

Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back at Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon's comments that the Manchester United manager is "senile" by reminding him that he still has something the Spanish club wanted - Cristiano Ronaldo.

Calderon had responded to comments made by Ferguson about the club's links to General Franco by claiming the Manchester United manager's ramblings were those of an old man.

"I won't waste time answering him. I admire his history but recently he has gone a bit senile," Calderon said on Thursday.

Ferguson, with a hint of a smile, hit back in his weekly press conference ahead of his team's match with Hull City. "Calderon has a few strange things to say every week," he said. "There is a lot of hot air comes out of that man.

"I am not getting involved but the nub of it is he is very disappointed he did not get Ronaldo. I am delighted to say he is still here and I will keep repeating that."