Kenyon: Backing United

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Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has backed Manchester United in their battle to keep Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Red Devils have been forced to fend off incessant interest from Primera Liga champions Real Madrid, with the saga having dragged on all summer.

It remains to be seen whether the Spaniards have finally given up the chase, but United have made it abundantly clear they are unwilling to sell.

The Portugal international has given mixed messages in regards to where he would prefer to be next season, while the episode has seen some of football's most influential figures air their opinions on the matter.

Having only recently penned a long-term contract to remain at Old Trafford, the general consensus is that Ronaldo will remain in England next season.

United are certainly hoping that will be the case, and will have welcomed the support they have received from their Premier League rivals at Stamford Bridge.

Obligations

"I really don't want to comment on Ronaldo but I think the contract stability issue is very important for football," said Kenyon.

"Clubs should not have the ability to not honour a contract, and so we should expect the same from our players.

"If a player is injured and doesn't play for 12 months we fulfil our obligations.

"From a coach's point of view, you need to be able to think this is not just my team for this season, but these lads are here for two or three seasons - because you have to plan.

"And then there's the fans. A large part of football is connecting with the fans, and the fans connecting with the players.

"If fans felt there would be another 23 players at a club next season, then football will lose something.

"Football needs to look at this issue seriously because it's all about passions and relationships. You can't start with a fresh bit of paper every year."