Fergie: Hands off Ronaldo - he's happy at Old Trafford
Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced Cristiano Ronaldo can fulfil his massive potential at Manchester United.
Once again, the brilliant Portugal winger has been linked with a big-money move to Spain after his agent Pedro Mendes was pictured sitting next to Barcelona's sporting director Txiki Begiristain at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
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Both Ferguson and chief executive David Gill have repeatedly insisted the 21-year-old is going nowhere, not even if United received a bid of £45million for the former Sporting Lisbon star.
For the first time though, Ferguson accepted the difference in climate between Spain and the north-west of England could be an attraction for Ronaldo, who was brought up on the Portuguese holiday island of Madeira.
However, the United boss does not believe the weather alone should be play a significant role in Ronaldo's career. And he feels life in the Theatre of Dreams offers the player everything he could wish for as a professional.
"I don't think there is a better player in the world than Cristiano at the moment," said Ferguson. "But he can certainly fulfil all his potential here.
"The better climate is always an attraction but when you think about it, look what you get from Manchester United.
"We get 76,000 people in the stadium for every home game. You don't get that anywhere else.
"I know Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan can fill their stadiums when they have big games. But their stadiums are not full every week. Old Trafford is. Cristiano is at a good club and he knows it."
Ronaldo himself has stated his desire to remain at Old Trafford for the immediate future.
And, while Ferguson accepts the constant speculation surrounding is a minor irritation, he does not feel the need to sit down with the player to discuss his intentions.
"There are no issues because I know the boy is happy here," said Ferguson. "I don't need to sit down with Cristiano because in modern-day football, you have to accept speculation will be rife.
"I pick up the newspapers sometimes and read who I am supposed to be buying and some of them I have never even thought about.
"Clubs have to make agents feel wonderful. That is the name of the game. It doesn't bother me."
