Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand is hopeful winger Cristiano Ronaldo will return to the club for pre-season training as normal.Speculation over Ronaldo's future at United is rife following Real Madrid's public courting of the two-time PFA Players' Player of the Year.

It has been suggested Real are poised to launch a record-breaking offer for the 23-year-old, if he declares that he sees his footballing future away from Old Trafford.

But Ferdinand is 'sure' that the 23-year-old, who is contracted to the club until 2012, will remain with the Red Devils and join up with his team-mates for pre-season as planned.

"Like everyone else, we would love him to be with us next season," Ferdinand told Sky Sports News.

"When we go into pre-season I am sure Ronaldo will be there with us.

"Yes, I have spoken to him. We have spoken about everything else other from that (speculation). I will let him get on with his holidays.

"He is entitled to a good rest. I am sure when we come back to pre-season and we will have a laugh and a joke about it with him.

"But in all seriousness we want our best players to stay, and Ronnie falls into that category.

"He is a Manchester United player now, and long may it continue."

Ferdinand added: "We're like the fans, we pick up the papers and read what is going on. We know as much as anyone else.

"We will be going to pre-season and I am sure Ronaldo will be there and we will be going with the aim of working hard together and starting off a good new season."

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