CRISTIANO Ronaldo remains coy over his future despite Sir Alex Ferguson's optimism the forward will remain at Old Trafford.

Ferguson met Real Madrid target Ronaldo for clear-the-air talks on Monday and insisted he was confident the player would still be at Old Trafford next season.

But Ronaldo - who is on holiday in America as he recovers from ankle surgery - has still to make a firm decision on his future.

"I've had hundreds of questions about Manchester United and Real Madrid," he told ESPN. "What do you want me to say? That I'm going or I'm staying?

"I don't know about the future, only God knows it. I can't say any more.

"Great players are always hounded by great clubs. It's a normal situation. There are other great players who are in the market who are good and who other clubs want.

"I have always been hounded, not only this year. It's not strange for me, to see what happens."

Madrid are reportedly ready to offer Ronaldo an astronomical pay packet, while United chief executive David Gill is adamant he will not receive a pay rise should he stay at United.

But Ronaldo, who signed a new deal at Old Trafford 18 months ago, claims any decision on his future will not be based on money.

"I want to be happy regardless of where I play," he added. "I can be happy everywhere, if I am with people I like, if I am animated, motivated.

"Am I motivated to continue at United? I am always motivated.

"I am ambitious and I want to always improve. I don't know the future, but I will be motivated."

Ronaldo will be out for three months as he recovers from the operation.

And the winger claimed he just wants to concentrate on getting back to full fitness as quickly as possible.

"I'm not anxious about the future, I'm feeling normal," continued Ronaldo. "Normal is resting my head, my body, having a good recovery and the future belongs to God, not to me."