Ronaldo's here for years to come

Having ensured that Cristiano Ronaldo will remain a United player this season, Sir Alex Ferguson feels the Portuguese winger will find it harder and harder to leave the club the longer he remains a Red.

The United boss was in an open and frank mood when quizzed about Ronny’s recent pledge of allegiance to the club, following a summer of intense speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

Ronaldo's interview with Portuguese newspaper Publico earlier this week has, according to Sir Alex, drawn a line under the affair.

“We’re happy,” the Reds boss said at a press conference on Friday. “His interview was very good. From my perspective, he explained himself perfectly. As I said on Wednesday, the matter is now closed. He’s a Manchester United player and he’s happy to be here. He’s always been happy here. It’s just the unfortunate participation of Real Madrid in his life that has made it difficult for him.”

The United manager was equally bullish when presented with the notion that a repeat episode of Real Madrid's forthright pursuit of the player could take place next summer.

“The important thing is that we have ended all the stuff about Real Madrid,” he said defiantly. “As he gets older, I think Cristiano will appreciate being here more and more. That happens with players the longer they stay here. They don’t want to leave.

“If you look at Rio Ferdinand, who joined us as a young man from Leeds United, that’s exactly what has happened to him. He is now a real Manchester United person. He loves the club. And he comes from another country… he comes from London! It’s a different world there. There’s not a lot of difference from someone leaving London or Portugal and coming to Manchester. You come north, you get a colder climate, a wetter climate. But you come to a real football city, which very few cities can say.”

Ronaldo, who is now back in Manchester and on a rehabilitation programme following ankle surgery over the summer, will pull on a United shirt again hopefully by the end of September. That is testimony to United and Sir Alex’s resolute stance.

“I think they (Real Madrid) now know they’re dealing with a different animal," added the boss. "I can’t deny that it was an important issue. There are very few players that have left me against my will. I’d have to think seriously about that one.

"It’s unusual for anyone to want to leave Manchester United. Cristiano realises that, too. We had a good meeting over in Portugal and clarified a lot of things. He was good, and I was pleased with that. That’s why I was confident that everything was going to be all right.

“As I’ve said, Cristiano will settle down and enjoy his career here. He’s got four years on his contract, and hopefully at some point we would like to extend it. That’s where we are.”