Just why a player would want to leave a club that’s just won a Premier League and Champions League double is a tricky one. Money maybe, lifestyle perhaps or even better weather.

But Cristiano Ronaldo is still to commit his future to Manchester United with Real Madrid apparently waiting in the wings, ready to pounce.

The 23-year-old is currently with the Portugal squad ahead of Euro 2008 after a season in which he spearheaded United’s double success with an incredible tally of 42 goals.

And today, former United star David Beckham, who himself made the move from the North West to Madrid has urged Ronaldo to stay put.

Beckham, who joined the Spanish giants in 2003 and helped them to the league title before leaving for LA Galaxy said “I believe he’s at the right club now, a club he should stay at.

“He’s only been there a few years. He’s got a lot of people around him there who will protect him.”

Beckham added: “As much as Real are a great team and one of the biggest clubs in the world, he’s only just starting at United.”

Beckham’s views were further endorsed by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson who, since the start of the rumours of Ronaldo’s departure, has been resolute in his opinion that the winger isn’t going anywhere.

“It’s a game Real play all the time, In the past they’ve done it with Beckham, they’ve done it with Ronaldo, they’ve done it with my fitness coach last summer when they took him away from us, so we’re used to it” said Ferguson.

“It’s a compliment to the standard of players we have, and we always seem to produce, but I am more than confident Cristiano will be with us next year.”

“The Glazer family will not be messed about in this situation.

“We want Cristiano to stay for a long, long time. He is on a fantastic contract and quite rightly so - he’s the best player in the world.”

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