"I was - and still am - very happy to be here."
Cristiano Ronaldo has given his strongest indication yet that he will remain at Manchester United next season.
The 37-year-old returned to Old Trafford on a two-year deal at the start of last season, scoring 24 times after arriving from Juventus.
Since then, United have changed manager with Erik ten Hag named as permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. With a series of departures already confirmed by the club, some expected Ronaldo to move on as Ten Hag looks to shape the United squad to his liking ahead of the new season.
However, in an interview with the club, Ronaldo has now insisted he remains very happy at Old Trafford and appears to be looking forward to working under the Dutchman.
Ronaldo on United future
"I was happy of course to be back at a club that really raised my career," he said, reflecting on his return to United. "It was unbelievable.
"I was - and still am - very happy to be here."
He continued to stress that he firmly believed United would get back to the top of the English game, despite their recent woes.
"I believe that Manchester will be where they belong," he said. "As I say before, sometimes it takes time but I still believe."
Ronaldo looking forward to working with Ten Hag
On the new manager, he said: "I know he did a fantastic job for Ajax and that he's an experienced coach. But we need to give him time and things need to change - the way he wants.
"I hope we have success of course. Because if you have success, all of Manchester are going to have success as well.
"So I wish him the best. We are happy and excited - not only the players but the supporters as well. I wish him the best and let's hope that next year we're going to win trophies."
https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1532633191529455616
Ronaldo is currently on international duty with Portugal ahead of his summer break and was named on the bench for the 1-1 draw with Spain in Seville on Thursday night. Fernando Santos later suggested the decision was a tactical one.
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