Fergie: Ronaldo's staying
05 Aug 2008 - 15:23:47
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is definitely staying at Old Trafford this season.
The Portugal international has been linked with a switch to Real Madrid throughout the summer and had spoken of his desire to move to Spain.
However, United have been adamant that the 23-year-old would be going nowhere and they finally seem to have been vindicated in their stance.
"The matter is closed now," said Ferguson. "He is a Manchester United player, it's finished.
"He is going to play here, believe me."
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon had earlier admitted he had finally given up hope of landing Ronaldo this summer.
Calderon told reporters as his club sealed the signing of Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg: "Rafael van der Vaart is a player of great quality, vision and talent.
"We are certain that he will be a player who will help us complement the already very strong squad we have.
"He is the first and almost certainly the last signing we will make this season."
Ronaldo is currently recovering from ankle surgery and is expected to return to Old Trafford in the next week.