Winger Ronaldo to stay at United

Aug 7, 2008, 11:18 GMT

London - Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo is to stay at Manchester United next season, he told a Portuguese newspaper Thursday.

The 23-year-old had earlier admitted that he was keen on a move to Real Madrid, who openly courted him, angering United.

But Thursday he told Publico: 'I will remain with Manchester United for at least another year.

'Sir Alex Ferguson heard my arguments, I heard his and, in fact, it was settled that the best for both parties would be for me to stay.'

'Before rumours emerge saying that I will play against my will, I want to make this clear - whoever says or writes that is lying,' he added. 'I will play for Manchester with all my heart and soul. I will fight and honour that shirt with the same commitment and dedication as always.'

Manager Ferguson had been bullish about his side's chances of hanging on to Ronaldo earlier in the week, and Madrid's unexpected signing of Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg seemed to strengthen the chances of Ronaldo staying.

Ronaldo also admitted he was to blame for a summer of rumours and counter-rumours while making clear he would not be averse to a move to Madrid at some time in the future.

'I was responsible for all this controversy,' he said. 'I was the one who publicly expressed my desire to go to Real Madrid. I ended up being, even involuntarily, responsible for the poor relationship between the two clubs.

'I knew Real Madrid were interested in signing me and that they had allegedly made a very high offer to Manchester United. My desire was, for some time, that Manchester had accepted my transfer to Madrid. Saying otherwise would be to trick people and my own consciousness.'