I will stay at Man Utd – Ronaldo

Many speculated that Ronaldo would have cost Madrid up to £70m

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he will remain at Manchester United “for at least another year”, according to Portuguese newspaper Publico.

Winger Ronaldo, 23, had frequently expressed his wish to leave for Spanish champions Real Madrid this summer.

“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,” he said.

“I can confirm that, next season, I will play for Manchester United.”

United manager Ferguson said on Tuesday that the Ronaldo transfer saga was now “closed” after more than two months of frenzied speculation that the player would leave Old Trafford for the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo, under contract with Manchester United until 2012, is currently recovering from surgery on an ankle injury and is likely to be sidelined until the end of September.

I was responsible for all this controversy Cristiano Ronaldo

But the Portuguese forward used the interview to underline his desire to achieve the heights of last season in which he was the club’s top scorer with 42 goals.

“Before rumours emerge saying that I will play against my will, I want to make this clear – whoever says or writes that is lying,” Ronaldo told Publico.

“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.”

Ronaldo also admitted he played his part in fuelling the speculation and that he was guilty of fracturing United’s relationship with Real Madrid.

“I was responsible for all this controversy,” he added.

“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.”

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Yet the Portuguese winger, reigning double footballer of the year in England after helping Manchester United to the Premier League title and a Champions League triumph last season, did not rule out an eventual move to Madrid at some point in his career.

“I knew Real Madrid were interested in signing me and that they had allegedly made a very high offer to Manchester United,” he added.

“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.”