Cristiano Ronaldo today committed his long-term future to Manchester United and immediately set his sights on landing some silverware this season.
The Premiership's outstanding player this season, Ronaldo has long been courted by Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. Only this week, it was suggested Real would be prepared to pay a world-record fee in excess of £50million for the 22-year-old.
Alex Ferguson has continually stated Ronaldo was going nowhere and the player himself has always claimed his preferred option was to remain at Old Trafford.
Now Ronaldo has agreed a five-year contract which will keep him at United until 2012. And, with the club still chasing a repeat of their unprecedented 1999 treble, Ronaldo wants to make sure he ends the season with some medals.
"I am delighted," he said. "I spoke with Sir Alex about my future and everybody knew that I wanted to stay. I am very happy at the club and I want to win trophies and hopefully we will do that this season."
The former Sporting Lisbon star scored his first Champions League goals in the midweek rout of AS Roma, collecting another man-of-the-match award in the process.
He will be a major threat at Villa Park tomorrow as United look to beat Watford and book an FA Cup final appearance against either Chelsea or Blackburn at the new Wembley.
"It is fantastic news," said Ferguson. "It emphasises the point that Cristiano is happy here and that he is at the right club.
"He has a great relationship with the team, staff and the fans and he will go on to be one of Manchester United's great players."
Ronaldo joined United for £12 million as a teenager in 2003 and insists he never had any intention of quitting Old Trafford and is happy to stay.
"I wanted to stay," he told MUTV. "I am at the right club and this is why I signed
"Everything is okay here. I am happy with my colleagues, my friends and my coaches.
"The supporters have also helped me very much and I am really happy here," he added, before claiming he has plenty of improving to do.
"I was only 18 when I came here but everyone at the club has helped me. I have learned a lot already but I still have more to learn and I just want to keep going.
"I want to win more trophies here and hopefully, I can do that this season."
