Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Fergie confirms Ronaldo talks

09 Mar 2007 - 14:33:24

Click To Enlarge

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that the club have opened contract negotiations with Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portugal international still has three years remaining on his existing deal but revealed earlier in the week that his representatives had held talks with the United hierarchy over extending his stay at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo, who has scored 16 times in the Premiership this season, has been linked with a possible summer transfer to Spanish giants Barcelona or Real Madrid, but Ferguson insists the 22-year-old winger will stay with the Premiership leaders.

"Cristiano is at the right club," said Ferguson. "He wants to stay. Why should he want to go anywhere else?

"We have been negotiating for a few weeks now and hopefully we can come to an agreement where he will stay with us for the next few years.

"When you are negotiating, you hope eventually a compromise situation will be reached somewhere along the line.

"We want to reach an agreement because the boy has been a fantastic player for us."

Meanwhile, Ferguson has confirmed that injured striker Louis Saha should be back in time to face Blackburn Rovers in the Premiership on March 31.

The France international has been struck down by a hamstring injury but is expected to miss just Saturday's FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough and the visit of Bolton Wanderers on March 17.