Fergie back at Man Utd convinced of Ronaldo stay

The Times says the two men are not believed to have spoken since Ronaldo left Manchester to join the Portugal squad in late May, with the player doing nothing to dispel rumours of growing tension between him and his club manager. But while Ferguson has been disappointed by some of Ronaldo's comments, he does not want to sell the player and is convinced that Ronaldo will drop the issue when he learns of the extent of United's opposition to the sale.

United have been encouraged that, despite frequent references to Ronaldo's "dream" of joining Real, he has not demanded a move and that the statement he planned to make more than a week ago, in which he intended to plead with United to let him move to Spain, has not materialised. Members of the Old Trafford hierarchy have described the situation as a "seven-day wonder", suggesting that it will have blown over by the time Ronaldo returns for preseason training next month, but sources close to the player maintain that he is as committed as ever to moving to Real and that he will tell Ferguson so when they come face to face.