Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo today walked away uninjured after writing off his Ferrari sports car in a crash.

The Portuguese winger missed Sunday's clash with Saints but did play against Derby County last night.

The front of the high-performance vehicle was completely demolished after it hit a roadside barrier under a tunnel near Manchester Airport.

Police spoke to the Portuguese winger at the scene and he then made his way to the club's training ground near Sale.

The crash happened on the A538 which takes traffic under the airport runways between Wilmslow and Hale.

The 23-year-old's red Ferrari struck a metal hand-rail which guards an emergency exit door in the tunnel.

Skid marks were clearly visible at the scene of the crash and one of the wheels came off.

Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: ''At about 10.20am police were called to the A538 Wilmslow Road near to Manchester Airport following reports of a road traffic collision.

''Officers attended and discovered a Ferrari had collided with a barrier.

''No one is believed to have been injured.

''Inquiries are continuing.''

Manchester United confirmed the Ballon d'Or winner was unhurt.

A club spokesman said: ''He was involved in an incident this morning. No other cars were involved.

''He's fine and is training as normal with the team.''

Ronaldo came on as a substitute in the final 30 minutes of his team's 1-0 Carling Cup defeat to Derby County last night.

His team-mate, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, was reported to have been travelling behind Ronaldo at the time of the crash.

The Ferrari was later loaded on to a recovery truck, covered in a black sheet, as the road was reopened.