Ronaldo settled and content

Cristiano Ronaldo intends to stay at Manchester United until he is no longer wanted.

In the wake of his World Cup controversy, the brilliant winger snubbed apparent interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona in favour of signing a lucrative contract extension that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2012.

Yet the deal has not stopped the Spanish giants repeatedly suggesting the 22-year-old would be welcome at the Bernabeu or the Nou Camp whenever he wanted to make the switch.

But as he launched the publicity for his new book 'Moments', Ronaldo told a packed gathering, including United chief executive David Gill, that he was going nowhere.

Wearing an oversize pair of designer sunglasses to protect the eye injury he suffered during last night's win over AS Roma, the former Sporting Lisbon star also revisited the World Cup row with Wayne Rooney, hailed the influence of Alex Ferguson and placed Champions League glory at the top of his aspirations for the season.

"I have enjoyed playing for this club for five years and I want to keep going like that," he said. "Sometimes in the past I have thought about other clubs but I took a decision to stay because this is the right place for me.

"It is not just about the club. It is the people, the players and the supporters. You have everything here.  No-one knows the future but only when the club says they don't want me will I leave."

At one point, in the aftermath of England's stormy exit from the World Cup, Ronaldo's departure seemed certain.

Condemned from many sides for his over-zealous, and successful, attempt to get Wayne Rooney sent off during the quarter-final clash, Ronaldo confirmed on more than one occasion that he would never return to United.

In the end though, a combination of his trusted advisor Jorge Menges, Ferguson and his assistant Carlos Queiroz, plus Gill persuaded Ronaldo to remain where he was.

Almost 15 months on, Ronaldo accepts his initial reaction to the row was too hasty. And, while he acknowledges he has made mistakes and learned from the whole saga, he does not regret it.

"Everybody makes mistakes," he said.  "When you are growing up you do bad things. When your head is full straight after a game, you say things you don't really want to say.

"It is one moment in my short career. It is not a problem and I don't regret it.  My relationship with Wayne Rooney has always been great. It was before the World Cup and remained so after it. I am more mature as well, so I feel great."  PA