Alex Ferguson is delighted Cristiano Ronaldo is staying with Manchester United and maintains the winger is happy at Manchester United but got tempted by the money being offered by Real Madrid.

The Portugal internationa winger has been linked with Real Madrid throughout the summer, with the Spanish club maintaining their interest even though United repeatedly stressed Ronaldo would not be sold.

But the 23-year-old has now told Portuguese newspaper Publicothat he will be staying at Old Trafford for at least the next 12 months.

Key to that dramatic development was a meeting between the player and Ferguson in Portugal just after his country's exit at Euro 2008.

At the time it seemed certain Ronaldo would leave, but Ferguson managed to persuade the Madeira-born player he was better off where he was.

"We cleared the air in Portugal, and the boy spoke to a few of the players as well," said the Scot. "The thing is, he knows he is happy here - and has always been happy here.

"The fans have to understand it has been a very difficult time for him. He has been offered all this money - when his dad has died a young man and he is looking after his mother, his sister and his brother.

"He has had a troubled time, and you can understand that.

"But once he knew my stance, he settled down - and as far as we are all concerned, the matter is finished. The boy is a United player - that is what is important."

Ronaldo accepted the role he played in the acrimonious struggle between the two clubs and insisted in the interview that he remains as committed as ever to the United cause.

"Before rumours emerge saying that I will play against my will, I want to make this clear - whoever says or writes that is lying," said the 23-year-old. "I will play for Manchester with all my heart and soul. I will fight and honour that shirt with the same commitment and dedication as always."

He continued: "I was responsible for all this controversy.

"I was the one who publicly expressed my desire to go to Real Madrid. I ended up being, even involuntarily, responsible for the poor relationship between the two clubs."

But he repeated that his dream of playing for Real remains and has not closed the door on a future move to the Spanish giants.

He explained: "I knew Real Madrid were interested in signing me and that they had allegedly made a very high offer to Manchester United.

"My desire was, for some time, that Manchester had accepted my transfer to Madrid.

"Saying otherwise would be to trick people and my own consciousness."

For his part, Real manager Bernd Schuster, whose boss Ramon Calderon was the one leading the pursuit rather than the German, says he has to "respect his (Ronaldo's) decision."

"He was free to do what he wanted and it's a shame that he isn't coming to us because he's a player who would really have improved this great group," added Schuster. "But hey, it doesn't matter. We've got a great group to get started on an important league campaign and fight for all the objectives we've set."