Soccer-Manchester United hoping to secure Ronaldo's future

MANCHESTER, March 9 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson hopes talks over a new contract with winger Cristiano Ronaldo will end successfully with the Portuguese international signing a new deal to stay at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo's contract runs until 2010 but discussions over a new, improved deal are underway.

Ferguson told reporters today: ''We have been negotiating for a few weeks now. That's what negotiating is.

''It means eventually there is to be a compromise somewhere along the line. You to and fro a little bit and then eventually you come to an agreement.

''And that's where we want to get to because the boy wants to stay here. He's at the right club, there's no question about that.

The boy has been absolutely fantastic for us.'' Ronaldo, 22, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, had been reported in the British media this week as saying he wanted to remain with the Premier League leaders.

He was also said to have expressed an interest in playing in Spain later in his career.

But agreeing a new contract at Old Trafford would kill of the current round of speculation linking with him potential moves to Barcelona or Real Madrid.

''He shouldn't want to go anywhere else. He's at the right club,'' Ferguson added.

''Both parties hope we come to that agreement part where Cristiano will be here for the next few years.'' Ronaldo's outstanding form this season has put him in the running to be named as England's Footballer of the Year and has kept alive United's hopes of winning the treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup, which they did in 1999.

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