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Manchester United striker Ronaldo has explained his desire to improve on his astonishing goal tally of 42 next season. 

Ronaldo followed up an unbelievable 23 goals in the 2006/07 campaign by smashing 42 for United during the next season, including a record equalling 31 goals in the Premiership.

He also was the main man for United in their sucessful retainment of the Premiership and also he was fundemental in the UEFA Champions League final when he scored a superb headed goal, despite missing a penalty in the shoot out.

The Portugal international is not resting on his laurels and has targeted even more success when the 2008/09 season begin.

“Every season at Manchester United I have improved,” Ronaldo told O Jogo.

“The season was spectacular and I scored many goals on the way to winning two important titles for the club.

“Next year I’m going to try and play even better and have an even better season than this one.

“I played a spectacular championship, a good Champions League and I am very happy with everything. It was my first European title and I want to win it many more times because the feeling is amazing.”

Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford has been debated since the Champions League final win over Chelsea on Wednesday, with Real Madrid determined to sign the 23-year-old.

The wide man come attacker has again put his future on hold, saying his priority now is to focus on Portugal’s upcoming Euro 2008 challenge.

He added: “I have a contract with Manchester United and at the moment I am only thinking about having a successful European Championship.”

Real Madrid’s desire to land Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is such that they even have a club car ready and waiting for the Portugal star, Marca sports daily reported on Saturday, clearly in another attempt to try and unsettle the Manchester United front man. It is now clearly becoming an obsession of Real’s to get Cristiano to go over and play in La Liga.

“Is that the definitive proof?” asked Marca, headlining a photograph showing a brand new top of the range Audi, along with a handwritten notice on the dashboard bearing the legend: “deliver to Cristiano Ronaldo”.

Another notice includes the words “sponsorship Madrid,” implying the motor is destined for the club, with which it has a sponsorship agreement.

According to Marca, the vehicle is in an Audi parking lot in Spain.

There has been feverish speculation for weeks in the Spanish capital that Ronaldo, having now led United to the Premiership and Champions League double, will quit Old Trafford for the Bernabeu although he has four years left on his existing contract.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on Friday launched a stinging attack on Real, accusing the Spanish champions of ‘lacking morals’ in their attempts to lure Ronaldo.

The Manchester United manager is furious at statements made by Real coach Bernd Schuster and president Ramon Calderon questioning whether Ronaldo really wants to stay at Old Trafford and accused them of attempting to unsettle his player.

“The simple facts are that he is with us and has four years left on his contract and that’s the first thing. And Calderon makes that great statement ’slavery was abolished many, many years ago’. Did he tell Franco that? Jesus Christ, give me a break.

“Do you not think we’ve not had many interests from the big clubs in Europe about our best players? Of course. But they don’t get into the nonsense that they (Real Madrid) get into. And they’ve no moral issues at all. They think that they can ride roughshod over everyone but they won’t do it with us.”

United’s top man, Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed he WILL sign a new deal at Manchester United next week.

The Portuguese megastar, 23, finally abolished all the speculation and rumours about his future — which has been mainly orchestrated by Real’s ability to use Spanish newspaper, Marca to their advantage, to try and unsettle the United wide man.

Ronaldo said: “My future will be clear nedext week. Everyone will be pleased — my club as well as me.

“I think I will definitely be here next season. Yes, I want to stay.

“I have played five years for this club and I’d love to stay here.

“I love the people, the players are fantastic, the atmosphere is unbelievable, the staff are great. That is the reason I want to stay.

“We won the most important trophies this season. I want to do it again next season but no one knows the future.

“I want to stay, I feel very happy in the club. I win trophies, the people are friendly, supporters are amazing, everything is fun for me. It’s very good.”

Ferguson’s assistant Carlos Queiroz was also adamant about Ronaldo’s future.

Queiroz said: “Without doubt he will continue with United. He’s very happy with us, he has a contract and there is no fear or worry he will go.”

Ronaldo admitted it has been an astonishing turnaround since he became Public Enemy No 1 following his World Cup spat with Wayne Rooney two summers ago.

Back then he had publicly demanded a move to Madrid because he felt boss Alex Ferguson and owner Malcolm Glazer had not protected him after the Rooney row.

Now the undisputed King of English football admits the situation has turned in his favour.

He added: “After the last two years I feel the English people have been friendly to me. I enjoy playing in England but no one knows the future.”

But as far as the immediate future is concerned Ronaldo was adamant — he WILL be staying at Old Trafford.  He said: “This is a young team and we have everything to win next year.

“We want to win the Champions League again and we have a good chance. We have a good team spirit.”

The 42-goal top Premiership scorer is now favourite to be crowned European and World Footballer of the Year in December in a blockbuster season.

Yet he insisted: “Of course I can get better. The goals are not the most important thing. Maybe I will play well next year but I won’t score as many goals.

“But I’m going to try to do my best. Every season I’ve improved and I want to improve next year.”

Cristiano Ronaldo again refused to commit himself immediately to Manchester United today when asked about whether he will be at Old Trafford at the end of the season.

The Portuguese international’s future with United has been the subject of mass speculation since Real Madrid’s president, Ramón Calderón, explained his desire to bring in the top man from the Premiership.

Although the 23-year-old has spoken of his own personal desire to stay at Manchester United on multiple occasions, he unveiled upon his arrival in Lisbon that his future may in fact only be decided in a couple of weeks.

“I do not have anything with Real Madrid,” Ronaldo said. “I have a contract with Manchester United and it is with my club that I will speak to. There can be further news in the next two weeks.”

Ronaldo, meanwhile, stated that he is committed to “repeating or improving” this season’s performances next campaign, a task that will certainly not be easy after he fired an incredible 42 goals during the current season.

On Portugal’s chances at Euro 2008, Ronaldo added: “It would be fantastic to be European champion for Portugal. It is a hard dream, but we are thinking game by game.

“The first game in the group stage will be crucial. We have conditions to create a great squad.”

Ronaldo and Manchester United winger, Nani, will now travel to Viseu, where the Portuguese national squad are currently training, ahead of the opening of the 2008 European Championships

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo assumed former great Luis Figo’s role on Tuesday as he was handed his number 7 shirt and named captain by Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The 23-year-old Manchester United winger – scorer of 41 goals in all competitions this campaign – will attempt to achieve something Figo never managed, guiding the Portuguese to a major senior title, having lost 1-0 to Greece in the Euro 2004 final.

Ronaldo also wears the number 7 shirt at United, which has been previously worn by George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

Ronaldo was chosen as captain over four players who previously captained the side – Nuno Gomes, Petit, Simao and Ricardo Carvalho – who are in the squad.

Portugal, who are currently training in the town of Viseu in central Portugal, are in Group A with co-hosts Switzerland, 2004 semi-finalists Czech Republic and 2002 World Cup semi-finalists Turkey. – AFP

Manchester United became kings of Europe for the third time after a 6-5 penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea on a night of high drama and emotion in Moscow.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was the hero with a penalty save to deny Nicolas Anelka after Chelsea captain John Terry had missed the chance to win the Blues the trophy by firing his own spot-kick against the post.

After a thrilling 90 minutes plus extra time finished 1-1, the dramatic shootout looked to be going Chelsea’s way after Petr Cech saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort but Terry’s miss opened the door for Sir Alex Ferguson to clinch his second Champions League crown.

It is 40 years since United first won the trophy with a team rebuilt by Sir Matt Busby from the survivors of that Munich disaster. Eight players lost their lives following the catastrophic events on a snow-filled German runway in February 1958.

A tense opening period was brought to life the moment Ronaldo headed United in front with his 42nd goal of a memorable season. Paul Scholes, who missed United’s last triumph through suspension in 1999, played a delightful interchange of passes with Wes Brown on the right flank.

His final return pass put Brown in the clear and the full-back’s left-foot cross found the waiting Ronaldo in space at the far post. The Portugal international planted a firm header into the corner of the net past a static Cech to give United first blood.

But the Blues began to grow in confidence as the first half approached its climax and in the 45th minute, Michael Essien’s attempted shot from 25-yards took two deflections on its way towards goal - the most telling off the back of United captain Rio Ferdinand. It changed the direction of the ball into the path of Lampard, who duly supplied the finish from six yards.

In the 77th minute, United had the woodwork to thank when Drogba sent a 20-yard shot against Van der Sar’s left-hand upright.

The game went into extra-time, and within three minutes of the restart, the woodwork came to United’s rescue for a second time. Lampard sent his shot crashing against the crossbar as United continued to ride their luck.

But Drogba was then sensationally sent off for slapping Nemanja Vidic as tempers flared on both sides. And the lottery of penalties ensured that United clinched the trophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United’s future continues to be the subject of intense speculation after Spanish newspaper, Marca published news that he has communicated to Real that we would welcome a move to the Spanish giants.

The topic has visibly annoyed Red’s  boss Sir Alex Ferguson who said that anyone that asked him about the matter was an idiot after a Spanish reporter sought his reaction in Moscow.
According to the Madrid-based daily sports paper, Ronaldo has told Madrid, “yes, I want to” when asked whether he could be tempted to leave Old Trafford for the Bernabéu.
The report states that authorised club sources leaked the information and that president Ramon Calderon’s dream is moving to reality.
United are clearly unhappy with Madrid and their use of the media to try and unsettle Ronaldo and the latest twist could well see the English giants lodge an official complaint with Uefa and Fifa.
Calderon promised to sign Cesc Fabregas and Kaka in his pre-election manifesto two years ago along with Arjen Robben and the Dutchman is the only player he has been able to land.
With Fabregas and Kaka now out of reach, Los Merengues are continuing to try and persuade Ronaldo to join them, but appeared to be firing a blank on Ronaldo aswell. For the Spanish giants to lure Madrid would take a monster offer, as Cristiano is currently in only the second year of a 5 year old trafford deal, and any approach would defintely get short shrift from Fergie.
Under the previous president, Florentino Perez, Madrid managed to use the tactic of forcible negotiation to sign Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian striker Ronaldo after long and drawn-out transfer sagas and Calderon is hoping that he could achieve the same outcome, however during Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure at Old Trafford he has never sold a player against his will, and why would he allow his club to be stripped of his crown jewels now?

Double player of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo will not be allowed to leave Manchester United at any price according to the club’s chief executive David Gill in an interview prior to the Champions League final in Moscow on Wednesday.

Ronaldo has been repeatedly linked with a world record, 100 million pounds move to Real Madrid over the last year and the Portugal winger recently refused to rule out the possibility of a switch to Spain in the future, sparking frenzied media speculation that the Moscow game would be Ronaldo’s last game for Manchester United.

But Gill insists that Ronaldo is going nowehere. Ronaldo will see out his contract at Old Trafford.

“Without doubt we are. He’s got four more years (on his contract) until 2012, he’s been with us for five years and we’re sure he’ll be with us for many years to come,” Gill said.

“He’s clearly one of the best players in the world and he’s at a great club, winning trophies.

“He enjoys it immensely here, you can tell that when you speak to him privately. Why would he want to leave?

“We have no intention of letting him go, we will make sure that he’s very happy here, as we do with all our top players.”

Reports on Tuesday claimed United have debts of around 764 million pounds but Gill doesn’t believe that will force them to cash in on their prize asset.

“Manchester United is not a club that sells its main assets,” he promised.

“In order to service our debts we need a very successful team on the pitch, and you don’t achieve that by selling Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbished claims over the last week that his top man Cristiano Ronaldo is on his  way out of Old Trafford.

Speaking in Moscow, on the eve of his second Champions League final with Manchester United, when asked about whether Ronaldo would be staying with the new Premiership champions he said: “If you want to put a bet on it I’ll put a big bet on it.”

Fergie oozes confidence that his side can win the European Champions league for the first time since 1999 and he added: “Since we’ve won the championship we’ve had ten days good preparation.

“It’s been a long hard season but I think we’re in our best shape and hopefully good enough to win this trophy.

“There’s a weakness in the amount of European trophies we’ve won and I hope we can go some way to making that better (Wednesday).