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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

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).

Cristiano Ronaldo who has scored an unbelievable 41 goals this season that saw him crowned Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, for the second time in two years combining with Rooney’s own tally of eighteen goals to fire the Red Devils to the league title for a second successive year.

With Real Madrid rumoured to be lining up a bid upwards of £100 million to take the player to the Bernabeu stadium, the Portuguese international has once again expressed his ambitions to play in Spain during his career - more than likely with Real Madrid, who are long time admirers.

While Rooney is concentrating on the  Champions League final meeting with Avram Grant’s Chelsea on Wednesday, he has called on Ronaldo to commit himself to United.

“I hope the partnership will continue for years. Ronaldo is a great player and it will be brilliant if we can keep him at the club for as long as possible. He’s an unbelievable player,” Rooney told reporters in the build-up to Wednesday’s Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow.

“What he’s done for United in the last few years is brilliant and it makes you work hard.

“For Ronaldo to score those goals is helping the team. I’ve got no problem if he scores 60 goals in a season and I don’t get anywhere near that.”

The England front man is under no illusions as to the importance of the midweek game in Moscow.

“When you walk around the training ground there are pictures up of players from ‘58, ‘68 all the way through to today so there’s a good history among the club and all the players are well educated on the history,” he added.

“The Champions League is very important with the history involved in the club — 50 years ago being Munich and 40 years ago being the first win. So it will be good for the club and good for ourselves (if we win).

“I don’t think it will be a burden, we just need to go out there and try and enjoy ourselves. If we enjoy playing I’m sure we will do well. If we go out there thinking a bit negative then it becomes harder for ourselves.”

The 23-year old thinks that United are slight favourites to win the trophy, after gaining first blow in the battle by sewing up the Premiership last week against Wigan at the JJB Stadium.

“I think we will be bit a bit more relaxed with the Premier League in the bag and they might be anxious if they don’t win anything,” he said.

“To win the Champions League on the back of winning the league would be a great achievement by the team and we just have to go there to enjoy it.”

After Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments on Thursday when he didnt deny his desire to play in the white of Real Madrid the questions around the Bernebeu were surrounding the Portuguese front man. At the press conference after Friday’s training session, Robinho was asked his thoughts on Ronaldo and the chance of him moving to the Bernabeu for next season.

“I believe that Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world,” he affirmed.

“He is on top; he will play in the Champions League final and must be on the verge of winning the Ballon d’Or. It is always good for players of his standard to come to Real Madrid because the coach will have better options to choose from and that can only be to the advantage of the team.”

NICOLAS ANELKA fears Cristiano Ronaldo could wreck Chelsea’s Champions League dream.

The Blues are desperate for revenge after being pipped to the Premier League title by Manchester United on the final day of the season.

But Anelka admits the Portuguese ace is the man the Londoners must stop at all costs if they are to lift the biggest prize in European football on Wednesday night.

The 29-year-old Frenchman said: “This is the most important game of our season — especially since Chelsea have never been in a Champions League final.

“We beat them 2-1 at Stamford Bridge recently, so we are quite confident.

“But they have Ronaldo, of course, who is brilliant.

“United play great football and as a result he always manages to find the gaps.

“He shines when he has the whole team playing around him but he also shines when he is alone.

“He can often make the difference on his own, so it is hard.

“But we have good defenders and we hope he has a bad day.”

Anelka has had limited opportunities to shine since his £15million switch from Bolton in January.

But the striker is confident Chelsea have the ability to beat United in Moscow — with or without him in the starting line-up.

He added: “Collectively, United are a resilient team. They all play good football and can all score.

“It’s kind of the same for us, although we have more individual stars.

“It will make for a very open match. In a final, a one-off match, everything is possible.”

Cristiano Ronaldo yesterday sparked what is likely to be a summer of feverish speculation over his future when he left the door open to a potential move to Spain, and Real Madrid in particular. Manchester United’s 41-goal star of the season announced that he would be considering his future after his club’s European Cup final against Chelsea on Wednesday.
Sir Alex Ferguson will take no pleasure in the fallout that will accompany these latest remarks but there was no mistaking the ambiguity in the 23-year-old’s words when he spoke to foreign journalists at the club’s training ground ahead of the final. Though he said more than once that he was “happy” at United, Ronaldo did not rule out the possibility that he may seek a fresh challenge. “I am happy here but let’s see what happens after the Champions League final,” he said. “I am feeling calm here. I’m happy here but in the future I don’t know.”

The Portuguese winger found himself buttonholed by one interviewer in particular from the Spanish broadcasters Antena 3. He pushed the interest of Real who have made little secret of their hopes of signing Ronaldo. “I have said millions of times that I would love to play in Spain but it’s one thing to dream and another thing for it to be reality,” the player said. “I don’t know the club so I can’t lie. I know Real Madrid like how I play and I know that other teams in Spain like my game as well so that’s good – but I’m happy here.”

That Ronaldo will never categorically rule out a move away from United is the biggest worry for the club, despite the five-year contract he signed in April last year for around £120,000-a-week. There are no plans to negotiate a new deal but it is obvious that at Euro 2008 this summer he is certain to make himself even more sought-after among Europe’s elite. Told yesterday that Real’s president Ramon Calderon was “obsessed” with him, Ronaldo said: “Of course it is good to know that other clubs are interested in you.”

Honoured as the Football Writers’ Association player of the year in London last night – for the second successive year – Ronaldo has always been careful not to be unequivocal when it comes to his future. The question of Real’s interest was always likely to be a thorn in Ferguson’s side and United will be frustrated he has been pushed on the point so close to the final. The club’s general director, Miguel Angel Arroyo, said that Real have the “solvency and the financial liquidity to be able to take on a signing of this magnitude”.

Real have also talked enthusiastically about the merchandising potential of Ronaldo, having realised the value of David Beckham after his transfer from United in 2003. After five years at United, if the club were to sell Ronaldo they would expect a fee close to the record £45m Real paid for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.

Ferguson also served a reminder to Avram Grant yesterday that the League title defines the best team in the country and suggested that the Israeli’s complaints about refereeing which, he claims, handed Manchester United the title was a mere ploy ahead of Wednesday’s final

“The winner is the best team in the League,” Ferguson said. “All the players have recognised that. Avram Grant is talking about next Wednesday as far as I am concerned. That [comment] was a preparation for next week.”

Ferguson, who admitted on Sunday evening that his complaints about Bolton relaxing before their trip to Stamford Bridge, were a “tickle” to gee Gary Megson’s side up, said he had “half-expected” Grant’s comments and he is evidently determined not to allow his rival’s tactics to impede his search for European glory. “We should have a better record in Europe,” he declared. “I could go on and on about assistance [from referees] because [it is] debatable. You could say we should have been champions before we went to Stamford Bridge [for the 2-1 defeat three weeks ago which threw the title back open].”

Ferguson passed up the chance to suggest that Europe’s best two sides had made it Moscow, observing that Chelsea “carried a lot of luck” in their semi-final against Liverpool. The strategy he has been working at for the past week or so is to portray Chelsea as the side of greater European experience and he was at it twice again yesterday, talking of Chelsea’s greater “maturity” – albeit providing the caveat that United have the “big game temperament”. The fact United are undefeated in the tournament “tells you everything,” he believes.

Ferguson pledged a more powerful performance than United gave in the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea 12 months ago. “We will be fresher [in Moscow] and you can expect a better performance from us,” he said.