Ronaldo to stay at United 'for at least another year'

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will remain at Manchester United for another season.

The Portugal winger has been linked with Real Madrid throughout the summer, with the Spanish club maintaining their interest even though United repeatedly stressed Ronaldo would not be sold.

At one point United even reported Real to FIFA such was their annoyance with officials at the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo has hinted at a wish to move but has never publicly confirmed his intentions.

However, in an interview to be published in Portugal tomorrow, while repeating his previously stated desire to play for Real, Ronaldo has also confirmed he will stay with United for another season at least.

"I will remain with Manchester United for at least another year," Ronaldo told Portuguese newspaper Publico.

He goes on to praise Alex Ferguson, who flew to Portugal just after Euro 2008 for talks with Ronaldo.

Ferguson returned in bullish mood, claiming he had a frank exchange with Ronaldo, who would be staying at United.

While his stance was viewed as posturing in a battle that would be waged until the transfer window finally closed on August 31, the feeling in Manchester has been growing that Ronaldo has agreed to remain.

That belief was reinforced by Real's surprise announcement yesterday that the arrival of Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg would represent their only major purchase of the summer.

Now Ronaldo has given desperate United fans the news they were all hoping for.

After scoring 42 goals last season as the Red Devils won the Premier League and Champions League double, Ronaldo is widely expected to be confirmed world footballer of the year in December.

His presence at Old Trafford is huge, even if he will be missing until the end of next month following ankle surgery.

Ferguson was always confident he would win the battle to keep Ronaldo but the news still represents a major coup for the Scot, who lost trusted assistant Carlos Queiroz, a close friend of the 23-year-old, to the Portugal national job last month.