Fergie: Ronaldo going nowhere
2005-06-29 12:00
Lisbon - Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has quashed suggestions that star winger Cristiano Ronaldo may move to Spanish giants Real Madrid or Barcelona.
"There is no chance of him leaving the club. He has three years left on his contract and he will surely renew," Ferguson, who has brought his squad to Portugal for pre-season training, told sports daily A Bola.
Real and Barcelona were reportedly preparing £20m bids for Ronaldo because he has still not signed a new contract at Old Trafford.
Manchester signed the 20-year-old from Sporting Lisbon for five years in a deal worth over £12m in August 2003.
The player, who made 40 appearances for the English club last season scoring nine goals, is negotiating an improved contract.
United claim they have a letter of intent from Ronaldo's camp, committing him to a five-year deal.
But that contract remains unsigned and, as Malcolm Glazer finally took full control of United on Tuesday, Ferguson will be telling his new bosses the club must keep Ronaldo.
- AP