Ferguson: Ronaldo saga is over
Tuesday, 05 Aug 2008 16:33
Sir Alex Ferguson says the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga is over
Sir Alex Ferguson has called a halt to the ongoing transfer saga involving Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid, saying he is now certain the Portuguese winger will remain at Old Trafford.
The
Manchester United boss has spent most of the summer fending off the rumour that Ronaldo would hand in a transfer request in a bid to facilitate a move to the Spanish champions this summer.
However, today he has confirmed his belief that any talk of the club's top scorer leaving is unfounded and declared: "The matter is closed."
He told Sky Sports News: "He is a Manchester United player, it's finished. He is going to play here, believe me."
Ferguson's comments come just hours after Real president Ramon Calderon hinted he was conceding defeat in the quest to sign the Portuguese.
At the unveiling of new signing Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg earlier today, Calderon said the Dutch international "is the first and almost certainly the last signing we will make this season".
"Rafael is a player of great quality, vision and talent," the Spaniard said.
"We are certain that he will be a player who will help us complement the already very strong squad we have."