LONDON - MANCHESTER United star Cristiano Ronaldo escaped unscathed on Thursday from a car crash that left his Ferrari a mangled wreck, and will be fit to play in Sunday's Premier League showdown with Chelsea.

His luxury sports car collided with a roadside barrier in a tunnel near Manchester airport as he was driving to training on Thursday morning.

A photographer who arrived at the scene shortly afterwards described the Portugal winger's car as a 'terrible mess' but Greater Manchester Police said no one had been injured.

'Officers attended and discovered a Ferrari had collided with a barrier,' a statement said. 'No one is believed to have been injured.' A spokesman for United said the club's star player had not required treatment for shock or any other injuries.

'Cristiano is fine,' the spokesman said. 'It was on his way to training. He did not receive any treatment. He has trained this morning with the team and is ok.'

The Portugal international played as a second-half substitute in United's 1-0 defeat away to Derby County in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Barring any delayed reaction to Friday's crash, he will be back in the starting line-up for Sunday's match at Old Trafford as United seek to overcome one of their major rivals in the battle to retain the Premier League trophy. -- AFP