Ronaldo should stay - Cantona

11:45am Tuesday 10th June 2008

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Eric Cantona has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester United but insists the club would continue to win trophies without him.

Ronaldo's future has been the subject of feverish speculation, with United making an official complaint to FIFA on Monday over what they perceive as Real Madrid's unwelcome pursuit of the winger.

Cantona said of the latest man to wear the famous number seven jersey: "We all want - all the fans of United want - the best players to play for United. He's the best player in the world so we all want him to stay at United, but if he wants to leave I think United will still win things."

The 23-year-old Portugal international, currently playing for his country at Euro 2008, is arguably the world's best player and could become an Old Trafford legend if he remains in Manchester.

Cantona enjoyed similar iconic status during his time with United and was often linked with moves to some of the other giants of the European game.

"United is the biggest club in the world, they will win things generation after generation," added Cantona. "They won things, are winning things and will continue to win things whoever is playing for them."

Speaking at an event to promote a £2.5million television advert for Partouche-Betting.com, in which he is starring and which will run throughout Euro 2008 starting Tuesday night, Cantona expressed his disappointment at England's failure to qualify for the tournament.

He joked they might end their 42-year trophy drought if he was in charge and hinted he would be interested in managing United.

"In the near future, maybe when I will be the manager of England they will have a chance to win something," he said.

"Manager of Manchester first, if I can, and then manager of England. With United, I'll win many things!"

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