UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes Cristiano Ronaldo has a long-term future at Old Trafford

Record ID: 184104

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes Cristiano Ronaldo has a long-term future at Old Trafford
  • Date: 8th August 2008
  • Summary: LONDON, UK (FILE) (REUTERS) (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) NEW CHELSEA MANAGER LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI POSES WITH CHELSEA SHIRT
  • Embargoed: 23rd August 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA7EBX1OQK4SUBN3YU9PJKL99VG
  • Story Text: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson told a news conference on Friday (August 8) that he believes Cristiano Ronaldo has a long-term future at Old Trafford.
    After a summer of speculation concerning a possible move to Real Madrid, the Portugal winger confirmed on Wednesday (August 6) that he would stay at United for at least the coming season.
    Ferguson is confident, however, that Ronaldo will remain committed to the Premier League and Champions League winners for longer and is keen to extend the 23-year-old's contract at some stage.

    "He has explained himself perfectly from my perspective and the matter is closed," Ferguson told a news conference on Friday.

    "He is a Manchester United player. He's happy to be a Manchester United player and he's always been happy here. It's just the unfortunate participation of Real Madrid in the boy's life that has made it difficult for him.

    "The important thing is that we have ended all this stuff about Real Madrid and he will, as he gets older, appreciate being here more and more because that happens with players. The longer they stay here, they never want to leave."
    Ronaldo reportedly said in an interview with Portuguese newspaper Publico that while he would continue to play for United with his heart and soul, he retained an ambition to play for Real in the future.

    "I think that they now know that they are dealing with a different animal now, and also as I said I think that Cristiano has settled down. He enjoys playing here, he has got four years on his contract and hopefully at some point he would like to extend it, so that is where we are."
    Ronaldo, whose 42 goals last season made a big contribution to United's double success, has returned to Manchester following time off and an operation on ankle injury but will not be fit to return to action for more than a month.
    Wayne Rooney (virus) and Owen Hargreaves (knee) will also miss Sunday's Community Shield game against FA Cup winners Portsmouth at Wembley.
    However, Ferguson believes Rooney could be fit for the opening game of United's title defence against Newcastle a week on Sunday after the England international resumed training on Friday (August 8).

    "Rooney is starting training again today, which is good news, his first day back. I said earlier we have a big job to get him ready for next week, but with seven or eight days training we may just make it. He is much much better, the medical reports are good, he feels clear of the virus and hopefully he will be ready for the Newcastle game."
    Ferguson responded to recent comments in a British newspaper claiming that the new Chelsea boss Luis Felipe Scolari was a more experienced manager.

    "The Racing Post said Scolari is more experienced than me, I don't know what the hell I have been doing the last thirty-four years," said Ferguson who won his second Champions League title with Manchester United last year.
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