The Associated Press caught up with Sir Alex Ferguson in Durban, South Africa to speak about the never ending transfer saga of Cristiano Ronaldo.   Ronaldo gave a brief interview to ESPN while staying in Los Angeles, but refused to comment on Ferguson’s words that he will remain a  Red Devil for the upcoming season.

Ferguson stated that he believed that Real” Madrid is the worst thing for Cristiano’s career.”

“After the Champions League final, he was the happiest boy in the world,” Ferguson said Monday from Man United’s tour of South Africa. “I think he knows genuinely where the best club is to be at, and that is Manchester United.

“I honestly believe that the worst thing he could do is go to Real Madrid. He’s 23 years old, he is at the right club, he is at a fantastic club and there should not be any need to think in any other way.”

“He signed a five-year contract last year and he still has four years left,” Ferguson said. “That’s definite—I know that. I’ve seen his signature.

“Young lads can be twisted by the talk of money and moves that are happening all the time in modern day football.”

Ronaldo will not return to the pitch until at least October because of his recovery from ankle surgery.

Reports from Sir Alex Ferguson suggest that the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga is over.

Ferguson told reporters in Cape Town that he had a face to face meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal last week where he told Ronaldo that he would remain a Red Devil for the coming season.

“I went out to see Cristiano in Portugal earlier this week. It was very amicable and there were no problems, so therefore we carry on. There is no problem for Manchester United or the manager. What I said to Cristiano will remain private, but the meeting went well. We both made our points of view about where we stand and where the player stands. And I can say that he will be a Manchester United player next summer. That’s our stance, he won’t be sold.

“It’s not a difficult position for us. I don’t know where people get this thing from. I was on my holiday and I was not going to interrupt my holiday – believe me – for the simple reason that the boy is under contract. The strength and the rights are with Manchester United.”

Ferguson went on to say that Manchester United will not pressure Ronaldo for an early return to the pitch because they want him to be fully recovered from his surgery.

“He is on crutches for the first four weeks and will be in rehabilitation for the next four weeks. Then the following four weeks he will be back into football training. The time mapped out is three months and we won’t bring him back a day earlier than that.”

There have been reports that Cristiano Ronaldo may miss the start of next season due to his recovery from his impending ankle surgery which is expected to take place next week. Some are obviously wondering if it will be the start of Real Madrid’s season which he’ll miss, as transfer speculation continues to grow, however Manchester United remain adamant that Ronaldo will be wearing a Red Devil’s shirt next season.

Confirmation of Cristiano’s surgery was announced on Saturday, after a second opinion confirmed what had already been accepted by both United and Portugal doctors.

FIFA has dismissed the Red Devil’s official complaint regarding Real Madrid’s tactics involving Portuguese star winger, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United submitted the official complaint to FIFA, but details were not supplied to the public.

FIFA, which is the world’s soccer governing body released a statement on Monday June 16 regarding United’s complaint.

“From the documentation received, no breach of contract appears to have occurred yet, therefore, in accordance with the applicable practice, no kind of formal procedure has been opened by FIFA regarding this matter.”

FIFA went on to say that they have asked the Spanish Football Federation to remind Real Madrid of the potential legal ramifications of a breach of contract.

Real Madrid have denied any wrong doing on this matter.

The transfer saga of Cristiano Ronaldo, began after he had mentioned to Brazilian media that he wanted to play for Real Madrid, but only if RM were willing to reward him financially. Since then, the rumor mill hasn’t stopped.

Heinze, who wore the Red Devil jersey for three years before moving to Real Madrid, is impressed with Cristiano Ronaldo’s form this year

“I would sign him, but I think it’s impossible”. He told the Spanish newspaper.

“While Cristiano is at the level he’s at, and knowing Alex Ferguson, I think it is very difficult for Madrid to get him. He’s going through a glorious spell at Manchester and Ferguson was the one who found him and who got him to the top level. While Ferguson’s there, there’s little chance of signing him”.

Heinze went on to say that he would love to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo once again, but realizes that the possibility is not likely to happen anytime soon.

“He’s a kid who’s always spoken highly of Madrid, but at Manchester he’s coming on in leaps and bounds and it’s normal that he wouldn’t want to move”. He went on to say.

“He’s young and he has plenty of time to come here”.

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The fantastic success he’s had in the last two years playing for Manchester united, with 2007/2008 in particular, has prompted other football players to study his game in hopes of improving theirs.

Middlesbrough manager, Gareth Southgate, recently reported to The Sunday Mirror that Middlesbrough and England winger Stewart Downing had been asked by management to study video of the 23 year old Portugal International. It was hoped that they may incorporate some of Cristiano Ronaldo’s tactics and know-how into Stewart Downing’s game.

Southgate admitted that they sat down with Downing and told him to watch videos of the 23 year old Red Devil, so that he may gain insight into the way Ronaldo carries and finishes the game.

“We asked him to incorporate some of what he saw into his game” And as a result “Downing has become a better player” said the Middlesbrough manager.

Southgate went on to say that “Ronaldo has shown it’s being in there, being far enough forward and attacking the ball”.

With Cristiano Ronaldo making such an explosive impact on the English game, one is left to wonder if more clubs will follow the footsteps of Middlesbrough .

Original Story can be found here: sundaymirror.co.uk