Ronaldo insists his future hinges on the manager
I STAY BECAUSE OF FERGIE
By DAVID HARRISON
CRISTIANO RONALDO and Sir Alex Ferguson were born 44 years and 1,100 miles apart.
But their destinies are entwined to such an extent that Manchester United's long-term future rests on a Madeiran marvel and a Glaswegian genius.
If Ronaldo's loyalty to Old Trafford is being severely tested by Real Madrid's relentless stalking, the presence of Ferguson will be a deciding factor in any decision to stay or go.
Whether it's respect, fear or a combination of both, Ronaldo has made it clear his future is governed by Ferguson's position at United.
Win United tickets for life: Click here to find out how
Rooney lifts lid on Ronaldo and Tevez: Click here for full story
Cech fears Champions League failure: Click here for more
Terry: Chelsea are the best in Europe: Click here for more
As long as Fergie remains in power, Ronaldo is content to remain in England.
And that could see the pair spearheading United's quest for even greater glory for another two years.
Ronaldo acknowledges the debt he owes to Sir Alex — not just for signing him but for rescuing his United career after his controversial part in Wayne Rooney's red card at the 2006 World Cup finals.
Ronaldo said: "The boss is the reason I am here in the club.
"He helped me a lot, not just this season but the seasons before. I feel very good at the club. I want to carry on like that.
"I have many friends here in the club. I am five years in the club and I know everyone now — the staff, the players, and I feel like this is my home."
Supremacy
Just days before United's ultimate test, that is sweet music to Ferguson's ears, even if he claims not to have been unsettled by Madrid's attempts to destablise his leading man.
Ferguson's mood of exhilaration will also be heightened by news that Ronaldo, like any great performer, is relishing a stage befitting his unique talents.
"I am the best," he claimed, without a hint of arrogance but with a look of disdain directed towards anyone who dares question his supremacy.
The question that prompted such an unusual display of assertiveness is one that has surfaced constantly during a season in which Ronaldo's goals have illuminated United's bid for a Premier and Champions League double.
Does the dazzling Portuguese winger fail to deliver in the really big games against the top opposition?
It clearly rankles with Ronaldo that his ability to become United's match-winner in the Champions League final showdown with Chelsea is in any doubt.
He intends to be the master in Moscow and hammers out his warning in a rapid outburst of indisputable evidence.
Ronaldo said: "I scored two times against Arsenal, I score against Liverpool. Maybe I did not score against Chelsea but I scored against every other team in England.
"I am very, very happy with my season. I scored 31 League goals. I don't need to show nothing to anyone.
"I win every award. I need to prove nothing.
Excited
"When I hear it said that I do not play well against the big teams, it does not annoy me because I know I am the best.
"This is why I am not angry. I don't care, to be honest.
"Of course if I can play very good against Chelsea in the Champions League final and win the individual award it would be good but I don't think too much about that.
"I have never won the Champions League and I am very excited to have this chance."
Ronaldo goes into Wednesday's final with his future as a United player under scrutiny.
He himself opened the door for a possible departure by hinting that he would not make his situation clear until after the game in Moscow.
But in talking about his desire to improve on a season that has seen him score 41 goals in all competitions, it is unthinkable that he will turn his back on Old Trafford this summer.
And he firmly denied suggestions which have surfaced in the Spanish media that he will quit United because they have failed to honour a pledge to give him a lucrative new contract.
Ronaldo said: "I am enjoying being here in the Premier League at the moment. It is the best football in the world and I am enjoying the time when I play here. It is fantastic to play in the Premier league.
"Last season, the lads said you can't be like that again — not score 23 goals. Now I have 41.
"Well, next season I don't what I am going to do.
"If I don't score maybe 20 or 30, people may start to criticise me, but I'm ready for that.
"I want to have another good season after the Euros. I want to work hard and I want to do my best every time.
"I'm learning all the time, not just because I've scored 41 goals but because I have played very well.
Contract
"I think I have more things to learn. I'm playing with the right players in the right club to learn more and more and more and to make me a more experienced player. I want that to carry on.
"I want to work more to win more titles, more awards. This is for me important.
"The Spanish papers say I am unhappy at United because I have not been given a new contract. It's not true — I haven't said that.
"I think it is great just to be playing here in the Premier League and winning things — and then there is the Champions League final.
"Getting there is great. But the final is not just for playing in, it is to win."
Ronaldo believes his own mood of optimism is shared throughout the United camp and has grown since they clinched the Premier title a week ago.
He said: "The best teams are in the final — Chelsea and Manchester United. It will be a quite difficult game because Chelsea play very well.
"They are strong and experienced but I think we have a good team as well. We have a great spirit and I think we have a great chance."
Ronaldo can go when he likes, no 1 player is bigger then the club and fergie has proved that over the years. Were not a one man team, if ronaldo goes fergie will change the way he sets up his team, simple. If he does go I hope we get as much money as possible in the range of 50m-60m. I know he's been our best player this season but some of his antics on the field like going down too easily shouldnt warrant him player of the year, he hasnt dominated in big games and i expect him to be very quite against chelsea next week.
Posted by: united for life | May 18, 2008 at 08:44 AM | Report this comment
well miss him for the first season if he goes, however S.A.F. will restructure the team and will continue utds dominance of the prem league.
I think the 60-70 million that well get will bring in some excellent prospects that have allready been identified.
Posted by: djt | May 18, 2008 at 09:18 AM | Report this comment
Ronaldo is worthy this season of being the worlds greatest player. He must remember though, that he could of not have done this without the worlds greatest manager!! I would be gutted to see him leave, as he still has a lot to learn and improve on, but if he does no matter as we will get a big fee. Sir Alex will do like he always does, purchase another star and nurture them into being a great player.
Posted by: Born & Bred Manc | May 18, 2008 at 09:44 AM | Report this comment
He is going nowhere end of discussion.
Posted by: Russ Wood | May 18, 2008 at 10:41 AM | Report this comment
Ronaldo going Nah, He loves money but I think he love Manu More, he is young and tempation will always be their,but Fergie will decide where and when he goes, what Real Madrid is doing is just to unsettle him, Think again Ronaldo, MANU OR ???????
Posted by: jen pure trini | May 18, 2008 at 10:55 AM | Report this comment
I am sick listening to people say Ronaldo goes down to easy. When a player runs at his at his speed with the ball they are always going to be brought down with the slightest touch. Also, I think that it is a shame that teams are trying to kick possibly the greatest United player ever out of England. If Roanldo wasn't fouled so much he could have scored 60 goals this season.
Lets make it a memorable double and beat boring boring Chelsea!
Posted by: The Walshinator | May 18, 2008 at 11:23 AM | Report this comment
Does anyone actually believe Ronnie will leave cos i dont he has queroz there and nani and anderson plus a couple of portugese players coming in the summer he is happy there with people around him and at united hes the main man he saw whats happend to beckham and henry when they went abroad and dont fancy being just another player.He will leave united after the next contract which he should be 28 by then.
Posted by: manu007 | May 18, 2008 at 12:48 PM | Report this comment
IS HE GOING? NO BECAUSE HE STILL OWS ALOT TO SIR ALEX SO AS LONG AS HES THERE NO CHANCE HE WILL GO NOT FOR ATLEAST 2-3 YEARS TIME YET AND
CUM ON U REDS FOR THE FINAL LETS BEAT BORIN CHELSEA
Posted by: Jordan Pearson | May 18, 2008 at 01:30 PM | Report this comment
Ronaldo is one year through a 5 year contract worth STG120,000 a week - that's double of what some of his teammates earn - and will net him STG31 million over 5 years. The reason ManU gave him such a huge salary is because he gave his commitment for a relatively long period of time, considering a footballer's playing life. When a player wants to leave during his contract period it's up to the club to decide. The club also decides where he goes - remember Heinze and Liverpool wanting each other badly? If Ronaldo is smart, which I think he is, he'll stay on. You don't just walk into a new team and fit in. See what happened to Henry. Manu is first and foremost a team and I doubt where Ronaldo will find the support of players like Rooney, Tevez and the rest.
Posted by: Leonard | May 18, 2008 at 02:32 PM | Report this comment
At the moment Ronaldo is the best player in the world. And I believe he get this position only being in man utd and under Sir Alex. If he moves from here he will be another flop Beckham. Which I think he wont do.
Posted by: Gulam Murshed | May 18, 2008 at 06:09 PM | Report this comment
I thought Ronaldo would move to Spain eversince he started to show good games for United. Not because he doesn't love the club, not because of money, but simply because Ronaldo is that kind of player that likes to try new things. To be fair to him, he admitted that himself many times! It's true that one of the main reasons that he is the player he is today, is the almighty Sir Alex Ferguson. Ronaldo probably feels that he will develop just a little bit more at United and probably when he thinks he's achieved everything he could achieve then he will consider leaving. However, it is very obvious that Ronaldo has a lot of respect and admiration for Ferguson. He even labeled him once as he was his father, when he criticized him for poor performances.
Que sera sera, whatever will be will be..
The most important thing for the moment, is that Ronaldo is at Man United. Let's hope he can inspire the team to Champions League glory this year.
Posted by: Dreni | May 18, 2008 at 07:35 PM | Report this comment
he ant going anywere, in 2 years he mite go 2 real madrid for like 25ml bu not now hes 2 gd at man u fergie wont sell him for 200ml
Posted by: cookie493 | May 18, 2008 at 10:03 PM | Report this comment
This whole issue bout ronaldo goin to the bernabue has bn blown out of proportion.thing is, ronaldo knu,s he owes a lot to the club for nurturing him into the lethal strikin force he is now and for that, leavin the theater of dreams isnt realy a choice for him now, he owes man u fans another season o' two. Part from that, guys should be easy on the lad, it hurts wen our very own man u supporters go all out talk'n bout how weak ronnie is on the big games, let the boy be!!!!!
Posted by: ken patrick mwangi | May 19, 2008 at 02:48 PM | Report this comment
This whole issue bout ronaldo goin to the bernabue has bn blown out of proportion.thing is, ronaldo knu,s he owes a lot to the club for nurturing him into the lethal strikin force he is now and for that, leavin the theater of dreams isnt realy a choice for him now, he owes man u fans another season o' two. Part from that, guys should be easy on the lad, it hurts wen our very own man u supporters go all out talk'n bout how weak ronnie is on the big games, let the boy be!!!!!
Posted by: ken patrick mwangi | May 19, 2008 at 02:52 PM | Report this comment
Ronaldo is still under contract, if he breaks that contract Man U will make him pay a hefty fine. All this noise is just hype. Ronaldo is doing what any smart person should do just let everyone around him generate the news and gently help it along without seeming to be on anyone's side. His smart who wouldn't like the attention.
Posted by: jj | May 19, 2008 at 11:23 PM | Report this comment
ronaldo please dont leave were nothing.without u
Posted by: gefuieruj | May 21, 2008 at 04:20 PM | Report this comment