Fergie - Ronaldo will stay

United boss rules out summer sale to Real

Last updated: 18th July 2008

Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United

Ronaldo: Staying at United

Related links

News

Feature

Teams

Players

Also see

Sir Alex Ferguson has met with Cristiano Ronaldo and insists the Manchester United winger will not be sold to Real Madrid.

The Portugal international has been targeted by the Spanish giants throughout the summer, and had hinted that he was looking to secure a move away from Old Trafford.

But at a press conference in South Africa to mark the start of United's pre-season trip, Ferguson confirmed Ronaldo is going nowhere.

No sale

The Red Devils boss said: "The meeting went well - I think we both put across our points of view - where we stand and where the player stands.

"I can say he'll be a Manchester United player next season. That's our stance - he won't be sold."

Asked why he had not commented on the matter until now, Ferguson replied: "It's not a difficult position. I was on my holiday and I was not going to interrupt my holiday, believe me.

"I wasn't panicked because the player is under contract so the strength and the rights are with Manchester United.

"What we have done well is to say nothing. We've kept quiet on this matter and kept it private and what I said to Cristiano remains private. I did go and see him last week in Portugal and it was very amicable - there were no problems. That's where we are and we carry on."

No risks

Ronaldo is currently recovering from ankle surgery and Ferguson confirmed he is unlikely to be back in action until October.

He said: "He's had an operation and he'll be out for three months. He's on crutches for the first four weeks, he'll be in rehabilitation for the next four and then the following four he'll be back into football training. The time mapped out is three months and we won't bring him back a day earlier than that.

"I think when players have operations we have a responsibility that the player comes back 100 per cent and we'll carry that out as we normally do.

"There'll be no risk-taking - we never take risks. Our goal is to always make sure that the player gets back 100 per cent and that will be the same in the case of Cristiano Ronaldo."

Comments

Lee Cook (Manchester United fan) says...

I can understand Ronaldo 1 day wanting to go to Madrid. In Madrid they have the climate, the culture, his girlfriend and the media circus that Ronaldo needs to feed his ego. He has never made it a secret his desire to move to Spain 1 day. I just wish that perhaps he paid back United what he owes them. We made him the player he is and showed our loyalty in the theatre of dreams when he arrived back from the world cup. This could be done with a year or 2 more of him wearing the famous red shirt.

Posted 16:42 21st July 2008

James Ison says...

I think Ronaldo will stay. I really can't see the reason that he wants to leave anyway. Everyone knows that The premiership is the best league in the world and everyone knows that Man Utd are the best team in the world. Look at Madrid over the last few years in the Champions league, it's easy to see that Ronaldo is to good for a team who under achieve as much as Them. Man U to sign Berbatov and Ramos. Then We'll dominate everything for the next 3 or 4 seasons

Posted 13:55 21st July 2008

Wesley Bartlett (Manchester United fan) says...

Well it appears Ronaldo is staying, but the real question is how long will he stay for? He's spoke about his desire to live up to the number 7 shirt, and become a legend at united. But to contradict this he says its his 'dream' to play at Real, so his future really is up for grabs by the looks of it. Hopefully he'll stay in Manchester for many years to come, and with the signing of a quality striker (hopefully not Berbatov considering his age) we can dominate Europe.

Posted 19:20 19th July 2008

James Grace says...

I am a Man.U fan for more than 40 years. Players come and go, people thought that David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy couldn't be done without, the Champions League was won without them!

Posted 16:56 19th July 2008

Ben Sully says...

I think Sir Alex Should let Ronaldo go to Real Madrid because he's not loyal, he doesn't care about the club. He just wants to go. Sir alex is going to keep a player who doesn't want to be at the club, Roanldo is not going to play his best because he really wants to be in Spain playing for Real Madrid. If I was Ferguson I would take the 70 million and spend it on 4 or 5 world class players who do want ot play for Manchester United.

Posted 14:25 19th July 2008

Bd Condell (Manchester United fan) says...

Bad news as far as I'm concerned. Don't like him, don't want him. Take the money now and move on. He's just had the best season he'll ever have. If his heart is not in it what can we expect next season? The only stick on certainty is that he won't be half the influence and Fergie has probably brokered a deal to let him go next year anyway. Spoilt pratt needs a lesson and I'm disappointed Utd are sticking with this disgrace of a human being.

Posted 12:57 19th July 2008

Rich Hamill says...

Message to E Morrow (Liverpool Fan): You can live in hope son, when was the last time you won the league again, 1990?

Posted 10:38 19th July 2008

Saulos Thindwa (Arsenal fan) says...

It's good news for Manchester United fans and the English Premier League to learn that Ronaldo stays, according to SAF. However I strongly believe that forcing a player to stay against his will is totally wrong. SAF as a professional coach should be the first to understand that. For instance I remember SAF saying something close to this: why should Bayern Munich prevent the transfer move of Owen Hargreaves when the player wants to move to Man U. Eventually Owen moved. Why then, should Ferguson prevent the transfer of Ronaldo when the player wants to move to Real? I find it totally wrong. When you are buying, you should also expect to sale. If the clubs were doing the same, Man United could not have landed, Ronaldo, Ferdinand, Rooney, Tevez, Vidic, Van and many others. My advice to Manchester United is: when you buy, expect to sale as well. Finally, I strongly believe that Ronaldo will not be at his best form as was the case last soccer season at Man United due to the operation he has undergone. Samuel Eto'o was not at his best when he came back from injury, so was Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry. My advice to Ronaldo therefore is: make hay while the sun shines. You were at your best last soccer season, therefore you will attract a good offer. Next season you never know, if you are lucky, you will hit that form again if you are unfortunate, your form will go down so will the value and who knows, you may be dumped by the same club that needs your services now. Before I forget, what message is Mancherster United sending to other players on the issue of Ronaldo. is the club saying, Man U cannot win a trophy without Ronaldo? That is bad. All the best to both Man U. and Ronaldo. Sorry for a long contribution, but I thought it is worth it for the betterment of both Christiano Ronaldo and Manchester United. Wecolme to Africa Man U. I am just two hours away by air from where you are. Goodluck in the Vodacom Challenge Cup.

Posted 10:01 19th July 2008

Tim Powell (Manchester United fan) says...

This is not just about Ronnie staying, its about is his heart still with the club. As fans we only have one right, and that is that the player wearing the shirt shows it respect and gives it is all and nothing less than his all every time he wears it. Like most reds i assumed the talk about Ronaldo leaving was just that, talk! With no Englad to slag off at the Euro's, what else was there for the press to write about. But as the weeks have gone on and Ronnie has continually refused to pledge his future to the club, like many my mind has changed. "I want to stay at United" is all he had to say. Yet in all his interviews he has failed to say it once since being asked after the Champions League Final. Some may argue he shouldnt have to say he wants to stay. I believe if he wants to stay then he should say just that, be it once or a hundred times. I also believe that if United had granted Madrid permission to speak to Ronnie he would have jumped at the oppertunity. As great as he is and he will get even better. If he doesnt want to be at the club its only a matter of time before he leaves. When that happens he will be missed as a player. But as person? After this summer i think not.

Posted 08:09 19th July 2008

Asif Majid (man utd) says...

As far as I am concerned Ronaldo should never wear a United shirt again. All those Utd supporters saying it is good news well do not get blinkered into his loyalty. The fact remains his heart is not with the club and had it not been for his current injury the situation would have been different. He has shown total disregard for the club only for his own ego. He could of stopped this circus by coming out and saying he wanted to stay with the club but from what he has been saying has been the complete opposite. As far as I am concerned and speaking to many utd fans they only have one word for Ronaldo and it is ADIOS!!!!!!!!

Posted 06:53 19th July 2008

Peter Brock (Arsenal fan) says...

It's hard to imagine anybody making SAF do anything he doesn't want to. I'm not sure that Ronaldo will be around for all that many more years, but he'll probably I'd expect at least another season or two. With him in the squad and the purchase of one more class striker, I think Utd. have a legitimate shot at doing the treble this season.

Posted 20:01 18th July 2008

Spike Pettigrew (Manchester United fan) says...

This is good news indeed. I'm not going to lie i had my doubts, but i always did say, get him with Fergie then we'l see what he really wants. I think he'l stay 1 more year. Berbatov, well if we do eventually sign him i think he will take most of the pressure off Ronaldo & Rooney.. Season luks bright.. Cannot wait!!

Posted 18:16 18th July 2008

E Morrow (Liverpool fan) says...

Ronaldo will be at Real Madrid this season....no doubt about it. Fergie is holding the party line to ensure Man Utd get the highest fee for the Glaziers when the official bid comes in. Never good to have an unhappy player

Posted 17:59 18th July 2008

Ahmed Khota (Manchester United fan) says...

This is fantastic news for Man Utd, it also proves just how much rubbish the media talked up about him 'definitely' going to Real Madrid. Everyone was so quick to villify him and those very people will probably quickly forget all about this whole saga as soon as he scores his first goal for Utd next season. With Berbatov joining soon from Spurs hopefully, this is surely ominous for the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal. Man Utd just have to focus on appointing a good assistent to Sir Alex, and hopefully there will be more success in the coming season. And lets hope Ronaldo stays at least until the end of his current contract.

Posted 17:13 18th July 2008

Page 1 of 1

Add Comment*

All fields are required

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

Character Count : 0/1950

Please tick here if you wish to receive emails relating to Sky Sports.com or any other companies, services or products related to Sky Sports.com

Please send me the weekly Sky Sportszine - exclusive content, features and competitions to my inbox every Friday.

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private