SOCCER:MANCHESTER UNITED winger Cristiano Ronaldo insists he will remain at Old Trafford next season. Much like last year, Ronaldo's future is constantly under the spotlight and Real Madrid have again been linked with a move for the Portugal international.
United are adamant he is not for sale but if Florentino Perez wins the Madrid presidential elections he is likely to make signing the world player of the year his number one priority.
However, Ronaldo claims Perez’s efforts would be futile. “At the moment I’m only thinking about the (Champions League) final independently of what will happen to me or my team-mates next season,” he told Atena 3.
“I’m sure Perez would create an incredible team at Madrid but at the moment I’m at United and I don’t care about what happens there. I only care about what will happen next season at Manchester United.”
United face Madrid’s bitter rivals Barcelona in Wednesday’s Champions League final. Alex Ferguson’s team are looking to become the first side to retain the trophy since the European Cup was rebranded as the Champions League in 1992, something Ronaldo admits will be a tricky test.
“It will be very difficult to do it again, because Barcelona have a good team, great players and a great coach,” he added. “The two teams are very good, they play very well and they have dream squads.”
Both teams have had great seasons. Barcelona are on course for the treble while United are looking to add to the World Club Championship, League Cup and Premier League trophies they have already lifted this season.
Ronaldo is relishing the clash but insists it should not be billed as a personal duel between him and Barca star Lionel Messi. “It’s a battle of teams,” he said.
“Without my team I won’t win and neither will Messi without his team-mates. It’s clear that we are the two best teams in Europe. Not only because we are in the final but also because of the football we have played this season and for the trophies we have won. It will be the match every fan dreamed about.”
Manchester United defender John O’Shea will not get excited about the Champions League final against Barcelona until he actually sees his name on the teamsheet.
The Republic of Ireland Ireland defender, who was on the bench for last season’s final victory over Chelsea but did not feature in the match, is certain to play according to his manager Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson took the unusual step on Wednesday of saying that O’Shea would start the match in Rome, describing him as an “unsung hero” of the Old Trafford squad. O’Shea, however, is refusing to get carried away. “The manager might have said something about me starting but you never take it for certain until you know for definite when he names the team in the team meeting,” OShea told reporters.
“You could say I have been rewarded for my patience but whether you are playing a bit part or a bigger part, I was always confident if I got a run in the team, I could show I could stay in it.”
Carlos Tevez, meanwhile, remains in the dark over whether next week’s final will be his last game for the club. Tevez’s Old Trafford future has been the subject of intense debate, with United chief executive David Gill confirming last weekend that he expects some kind of closure in June.
However, not only is Tevez unsure about whether he will remain with United, he has not been given any indication by Ferguson whether he will be involved against Barcelona in Rome next week. “Maybe it will be my last game and maybe it won’t,” he said.
“I dont know. I am not sure whether I will start next week. It is a decision for the manager.
“I will prepare well. That is all I can do.”
Stephen Ireland has been voted Manchester City’s player of the year. The midfielder has been one of the stand-out figures for the Blues in a campaign scarred by inconsistency.
And, after being overlooked in favour of Ashley Young for the PFA young player prize, the 22-year-old has now gained some consolation, ending fellow Irishman Richard Dunne’s four-year hold on the trophy.
