Ronaldo Can Emulate Cantona - Ferguson

Ronaldo's was an enduring transfer saga, as he remained reticent about his true intentions while those around him worked furiously on a deal to take him to Real Madrid over the course of the summer months.

After winning the Champions League and retaining the Premier League crown last season, as well as netting 42 goals, Ronaldo felt that he needed a new challenge for his career and identified the Bernabeu as the place to make it happen.

However, after discussions with his club manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the 23 year-old was convinced to stay at Old Trafford.

Now, the Scot has revealed that he told Ronaldo that he can become a United legend like another Red Devils number 7, Eric Cantona.

The Frenchman cut a swathe through the Premier League with United, winning four titles and two FA Cups before retiring aged 30 in 1997.

The fact that 'King Eric' left United at the peak of his powers has served to enhance his legacy at the club, and Ferguson believes that Ronaldo can receive similar levels of adulation from the Old Trafford faithful.

Acknowledging that he expects Ronaldo to leave United in the future, Ferguson told the press: "I think Cristiano has come to accept that at this stage of his career, United is the place for him.

"Southern Europeans want at some point to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona, so I understood what was going on in Cristiano's mind when he declared he wanted to join Real.

"But once we had talked he accepted it was a move for the future.

"I pointed out to him how much better it would be to leave like Eric Cantona, with the fans loving and appreciating him.

"The crowd still chant Cantona's name and I told Cristiano 'Leave a hero like Eric' and one day he will. But not yet."

Peter Staunton