Ronaldo says he will stay at Man U for now

LISBON, Portugal (AP) - Cristiano Ronaldo pledged Wednesday to stay with Manchester United for at least the coming season but still wants to join Real Madrid.

United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed Ronaldo's decision, announced Wednesday in a Portuguese newspaper interview, and said the winger will be embraced when he rejoins his teammates later this week.

The Portugal international, who will be sidelined until October following ankle surgery, was quoted as telling Publico that he believed the Spanish champion submitted a "very high bid" after he expressed a desire to join them.

"For some time what I wanted was for Manchester to have agreed to my transfer to Madrid," Ronaldo said. "Saying otherwise would be fooling myself and others."

Ferguson, who remains critical of Madrid's pursuit, persuaded Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford next season during a meeting with the player in Lisbon last month.

"We knew this was the case," Ferguson said of the interview. "I flew to Portugal a few weeks ago to clear the air. He has also spoken to some of the players.

"The boy has been going through some troubled times in terms of the approaches from the people in Spain, but once he knew my stance he then settled down and he gave the interview tonight which we are all pleased about. It is very positive and we will welcome him back here this week."