Cris named European club footballer of the year

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo was named UEFA's European Club Footballer of the Year on Thursday after scoring 42 goals last season including eight in the Champions League.

The award was made during the draw for this year's group phase at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

Ronaldo was also named as the forward of the year for helping United win the European Cup for the third time.

Three Chelsea players who were in the side beaten by United in the Moscow final in May, won awards. John Terry was named as defender of the year, Petr Cech goalkeeper of the year and Frank Lampard midfielder of the year.

Cris stay

Cristiano Ronaldo finally pledged his immediate future to Manchester United - but perhaps only for one more season.

In an interview with Portuguese newspaper Publico published today, Ronaldo reveals that although he still wants to play for Real Madrid some time in the future, he will remain a United player for this campaign.

He praises manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who on Monday insisted that Ronaldo would be staying, with the player's words putting an end to the summer's longest -running transfer saga.

Ronaldo said: 'Sir Alex Ferguson heard my reasons, I heard his and we have an agreement that the best for both parties would be if I stay. Therefore, I can confirm that next season I will play in Manchester United.

'For a while, my desire was that Manchester would accept Real Madrid's bid. To say the opposite would be cheating people and my own conscience.'

The news made it a double boost for Ferguson and United, with Wayne Rooney making a faster than expected recovery from the bug he picked up during the pre-season trip to Nigeria. He may be fit for the season's opener at home to Newcastle on Sunday week.