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Ferguson says Ronaldo at United for long-term

08/08/2008

Cristiano Ronaldo will not join Real Madrid next season or anytime in the future, Alex Ferguson has said.

The Manchester United manager said the Portuguese winger was "a different animal" now after pledging his immediate future to the Red Devils.

Real Madrid had been linked with a move to Ronaldo all summer, but the 23-year-old said earlier this week he would be a United player next season.

Although his comments generated new speculation Real would return with a bid next summer, Ferguson said the transfer talk was "now closed".

"He's a Manchester United player and he's happy to be a United player," Ferguson told a press conference on Friday.

"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."

Ferguson said he expected Ronaldo, back in Manchester for rehabilitation after ankle surgery, to follow in the footsteps of Rio Ferdinand, who had his head turned by a move away from Old Trafford several years after joining from Leeds.

As he gets older, I think he will appreciate being here more and more. That happens with players the longer they stay here. They don't want to leave," Ferguson said of Ronaldo.

"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.

"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."

Ferguson went on to say he hoped Ronaldo, who is expected to feature for the first-team in September, would stay at United for years to come.

"I think [Madrid] now know they're dealing with a different animal. 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," he said.

"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."