Thursday 7th August 2008
Ronaldo to give 'heart and soul'
After deciding to stay with Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to give everything in the cause this season.
Ronaldo has publicly abandoned his desire to play for Real Madrid - at least until next summer - and instead committed himself to Old Trafford.
Any Red Devils supporters still sceptical after a summer transfer wrangle, which at one stage seemed destined to end in Ronaldo moving to Madrid, need have no fear.
"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 told Portuguese newspaper 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."
United had agreed with Ronaldo's desire to end speculation over the matter and were informed about the interview before Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Juventus.
The 23-year-old is due to see a specialist in Amsterdam on Thursday to have an updated assessment on the ankle he recently had operated.
If as expected Ronaldo is given the all clear, he will fly straight into Manchester.
Clearly, he was eager to end the speculation over his future before meeting his team-mates again - especially because a decision about where he would play this season was made last month after a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson, once Portugal had been dumped out of Euro 2008.
"He heard my arguments; I heard his - and in fact, it was settled that the best for both parties would be for me to stay," said Ronaldo, with Ferguson adding his view once proceedings at Old Trafford had reached their goalless climax.
"We cleared the air in Portugal, and the boy spoke to a few of the players as well," said the Scot.
"The thing is, he knows he is happy here and has always been happy here.
"The fans have to understand it has been a very difficult time for him. He has been offered all this money - when his dad has died a young man and he is looking after his mother, his sister and his brother.
"But once he knew my stance he settled down - and as far as we are all concerned, the matter is finished. The boy is a United player - that is what is important."
Ronaldo's renewed commitment brings some welcome good news for United, who look like heading into the opening game of their Barclays Premier League title defence against Newcastle on August 17 missing 10 senior players for one reason or another.
The virus affecting both Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick is yet to be resolved - while, despite the injury worries and confirmation they are under no legal obligation to release him, United will let Anderson stay in China to honour his Olympic commitment to Brazil.
The shadow of Madrid will still linger over Ronaldo.
"I knew Real Madrid were interested in signing me and that they had allegedly made a very high offer to Manchester United," he said.
"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."
