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Rio expects Ronaldo to remain at Old Trafford

28/06/2008

Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand says he expects Cristiano Ronaldo to remain at Manchester United next season.

Speculation has linked Ronaldo with a move to Real Madrid since the end of last season, with United even reporting the Spanish giants to Fifa.

But Ferdinand says the speculation is not affecting any of the players at Old Trafford, including Ronaldo himself, and fully expects to see the winger when the squad returns for pre-season training.

The England defender claims he has spoken with Ronaldo recently but they have not discussed the possibility of him leaving for Madrid.

Ferdinand told Sky Sports News: "Like everyone else, we would love him to be with us next season. I have spoken to him. We have spoken about everything else apart from [the speculation].

"He is entitled to a good rest. I am sure when we come back to pre-season and we will have a laugh and a joke about it with him."

Ferdinand insists United will do everything they can to keep their best players and does not expect the club to allow Ronaldo to leave.

He added: "In all seriousness we want our best players to stay, and Ronnie falls into that category. He is a Manchester United player now, and long may it continue."

Elsewhere, Uefa president Michel Platini voiced his opinion on the speculation surrounding the United winger, claiming it is "normal" that Madrid would want to try and buy one of the best players in the world.

He said: "If the club has the finances they can do it, if they don't have the money they can't."