THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MANCHESTER, England — Cristiano Ronaldo pledged Wednesday to stay with Manchester United for at least the coming season but still wants to join Real Madrid.
United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed Ronaldo’s decision, announced Wednesday in a Portuguese newspaper interview, and said the winger will be embraced when he rejoins his teammates later this week.
The Portugal international, who will be sidelined until October following ankle surgery, was quoted as telling Publico that he believed the Spanish champion submitted a "very high bid" after he expressed a desire to join them.
"For some time what I wanted was for Manchester to have agreed to my transfer to Madrid," Ronaldo said. "Saying otherwise would be fooling myself and others."
Ferguson, who remains critical of Madrid’s pursuit, persuaded Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford next season during a meeting with the player in Lisbon last month.
"We knew this was the case," Ferguson said of the interview. "I flew to Portugal a few weeks ago to clear the air. He has also spoken to some of the players.
"The boy has been going through some troubled times in terms of the approaches from the people in Spain, but once he knew my stance he then settled down and he gave the interview tonight which we are all pleased about. It is very positive and we will welcome him back here this week.
The 23-year-old Ronaldo, who is due for a medical checkup Thursday, is contracted to United for almost four more years and Ferguson has been steadfast in refusing to sell the player who amassed 42 goals last season.
"Ferguson listened to my arguments, I listened to his and we agreed that it would be best for both parties for me to continue," Ronaldo said. "This why I can affirm that I will play for Manchester during the next season."
Ronaldo said he will display full commitment to United’s cause next season after spearheading its Champions League and Premier League triumphs in May.
"Before there are rumours and speculation that I will be upset, I want to make one thing clear: anyone who says or writes such a thing will be lying," he said. "I will be playing for Manchester with all my heart and soul. I will fight for and honour my jersey with the same dedication I have always shown."
Ferguson believes Ronaldo will face no hostility when he returns.
"He’s very happy he’s always been happy here," Ferguson said. "He’s never had a complaint about Manchester United. He’s always been treated properly.
"I have a great relationship with the boy, the players have a great relationship with him and I think that we can for now put this to bed now. It’s finished, the boy is a Manchester United player."
By moving to Madrid, Ronaldo would have significantly boosted his weekly pay of US$240,000.
."I think the fans have got to understand that a young boy can be tempted by all this money," he said. "Particularly a young lad from Madeira.
"His father died when he was a young man and he’s had to look after his mother, sister and brother."
Ronaldo apologized for sparking the rift between United and Madrid, saying he was "the main culprit for all this controversy."
United complained to FIFA about the Spanish club’s persistent attempts to lure Cristiano Ronaldo away from Manchester United.
Football’s governing body said no regulations had been broken, but Madrid was warned of potential legal consequences of inducing a player to breach his contract without just cause.
"They cannot be blamed because it was I who publicly expressed my desire to go to Real Madrid," Ronaldo said. "And without wanting to I ended up being responsible for the friction between the two clubs."