Ronaldo will stay, Fergie claims after meeting

Ferguson met Ronaldo in Lisbon last week for the first time since the speculation surrounding the winger's future began.

"The meeting went well. I think we both put across our points of view - where we stand and where the player stands," explained Ferguson.

"I can say he'll be a Manchester United player next season. He won't be sold."

Ferguson, who made the remarks at a press conference in South Africa, will hope that Real Madrid will now cool their interest in Ronaldo. He also said that the saga itself has not fazed him at all.

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

"What we have done well is to say nothing. We've kept quiet on this matter and kept it private and what I said to Cristiano remains private."