London, June 9:

Rio Ferdinand is confident Cristiano Ronaldo will still be a Manchester United player next season.

Ronaldo has hinted he would like to join Real Madrid after Euro 2008 if the Spanish champions deliver on their reported promise to pay him 375,000 euros a week and give United a world record transfer fee. But, despite Ronaldo’s refusal to rule out a move to Spain, United defender Ferdinand believes the Portugal winger’s future remains at Old Trafford.

Speaking to Sky Sports News during in Nigeria, he insisted he wasn’t worried about losing the Ronaldo. “Not really — I don’t think Manchester United are noted as a selling club really,” he said. “I saw an interview with the manager and I think we only really sell players that we want to sell and I wouldn’t put Ronnie in that category. At the end of the day he is a Man United player and long may that continue.”