MANCHESTER (AP):

CRISTIANO RONALDO is certain to play for Manchester United this season, according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ronaldo has been linked with a move to Real Madrid since the end of last season, when he scored 42 goals to lead United to the Champions League and Premier League titles, but Ferguson said yesterday that Madrid's public courtship of the Portugal international was in vain.

"The matter is closed now," Ferguson said, "He is a Manchester United player. It's finished. He'll be playing here next season, believe me. It's finished," he said.

Madrid were rumoured to be offering a world-record transfer fee for the 23-year-old Ronaldo, but have now signed Netherlands playmaker Rafael van der Vaart, possibly signalling the end of their interest for now.

Ronaldo, who is out of action until October with an ankle injury, is contracted to United until 2012, but said publicly he wanted to join Madrid.