Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told Cristiano Ronaldo that moving to Real Madrid would be the “worst thing” for his career.
Ferguson suggested the player’s best interests would be served by staying at Old Trafford.
“If you were asked for advice by your son, you would give him the best advice and the worst thing Ronaldo could do is to go to Real Madrid,” said Ferguson.
Ronaldo, who is under contract with United until 2012, has refused to rule out a move to the Spanish champions.
“He is already at the right club – a fantastic football club – and the future is that he has signed a five-year contract and has four years left. That’s definite because I have seen his signature,” continued the United manager.
But Ferguson, who was speaking in Durban ahead of United’s pre-season friendly clash with Orlando Pirates, is confident Ronaldo will be staying at Old Trafford.
“In the modern day, young lads can be twisted by the talk of money, but if you saw Ronaldo after the Champions League final, he was the happiest boy in the world,” he said.
“I genuinely believe that I know what the best club in the world is for him and that is Manchester United.
“When you have young players, you want the best for them and you want to do the best for them. There shouldn’t be any need to go to Real Madrid.”
