London, July 5 : Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo is set to have ankle surgery next week, which could leave him racing against time to start the season for Manchester United.

A specialist flown out by United to assess the damage to the forward's right ankle examined Ronaldo, 23, in Portugal yesterday.

United club doctor Steve McNally and his counterpart from the Portuguese Footballer Federation met the player on Wednesday to resolve a problem troubling Ronaldo since March.

But United delayed a decision on surgery until they get the verdict of their own specialist.

Ronaldo will have to wait at least four weeks before he can start training, The Sun reported.

ANI