Ronaldo staying at United for another year

(CNN) -- Cristiano Ronaldo has told a Portuguese newspaper that he will be staying at Manchester United for "at least" another season.

The Portugal winger has been linked with Real Madrid since the end of last season, with the Spanish club maintaining their interest even though United repeatedly stressed Ronaldo would not be sold.

However, in an interview published in Portugal on Thursday, while repeating his previously stated desire to play for Real, Ronaldo has confirmed he will be staying at Old Trafford.

"I will remain with Manchester United for at least another year," Ronaldo told Portuguese newspaper Publico.

The news came as United were held to a goalless draw by Juventus in a full-house friendly to celebrate last season's Premier League and Champions League double.

Ronaldo also praises United manager Alex Ferguson who flew to Portugal just after Euro 2008 for talks with the player.

Ferguson returned in bullish mood from that meeting, claiming he had a frank exchange with Ronaldo, who would be staying at United.

"I can say he'll be a Manchester United player next season. That's our stance -- he won't be sold," Ferguson said at the time.

"The meeting went well," Ferguson said. "I think we both put across our points of view, where we stand and where the player stands. It was very amicable, there were no problems. That's where we are and we carry on."

Ronaldo first said he wanted to leave United in June, but Ferguson did not make contact with the winger despite complaining to FIFA about Madrid's conduct.

"I was not going to interrupt my holiday, believe me," Ferguson said. "I wasn't panicked because the player is under contract, so the strength and the rights are with Manchester United."

That belief was reinforced by Real's surprise announcement this week that the arrival of Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg would most likely represent their only major purchase of the summer.

Now Ronaldo has given United fans the news they were all hoping for.

After scoring 42 goals last season as the Red Devils won the Premier League and Champions League double, Ronaldo is widely expected to be confirmed world footballer of the year in December.

His presence at Old Trafford is huge, even if he will be missing until the end of next month following ankle surgery.

Ferguson was always confident he would win the battle to keep Ronaldo but the news still represents a major coup for the Scot, who lost trusted assistant Carlos Queiroz, a close friend of the 23-year-old, to the Portugal national job last month.