Fergie: Ronaldo to stay at Man Utd

Updated 18.24 Tue Aug 05 2008

Keywords: transfers, Real Madrid, sport, soccer, football, footie, Old Trafford, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sir Alex Ferguson, Fergie

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has said the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga is "closed".

The Portugal international is under contract at Old Trafford until 2012 but has been publicly courted by Spanish giants Real Madrid.

"The matter is closed now. He is a Manchester United player - it's finished" - Sir Alex Ferguson

But Ferguson insists the winger, who underwent ankle surgery earlier this summer and is not expected to return to action until October, will stay at Old Trafford.

He said: "The matter is closed now. He is a Manchester United player - it's finished. He'll be playing here next season believe me. It's finished."

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon hinted his pursuit of Ronaldo is over after saying new arrival Rafael van der Vaart is the club's only likely purchase this summer.

He said: "Ronaldo is a fantastic player, one of the best in the world.

"If he came it would be great, of course. But out of respect I can't say anything more about this matter."