Ronaldo: No worries about United furore over 'naive' push for Real move

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Cristiano Ronaldo insists he can handle any backlash from Manchester United fans after his 'naive' decision to push for a world record move to Real Madrid.

The Portugal winger admitted he wanted to join the Spanish giants because he felt he had won everything he could at Old Trafford following last year's Premier League and European Cup triumphs.

But United refused to open talks with Real Madrid as Ronaldo has four years left on his current contract.

Ronaldo has attempted to smooth over his differences with United fans ahead of a return to first-team action at the end of the month after making rapid progress following ankle surgery.

'After we'd won the Champions League I felt that I'd help win everything there was to win,' he said. 'I felt maybe I needed a new challenge.

'I never hid the fact that I wanted to play in Spain, at Real Madrid in particular, and I thought it could be the right moment.

'Apart from the challenge, everyone realises that Spanish and Portuguese culture and lifestyle are more similar. I also have to recognise that my family would welcome the change.

'The chance or being an hour's flight from my family was very attractive. The people at United, particularly the manager, understood my reasons.

'What I said publicly, which was maybe a little naive, I take total responsibility for. I just said what I thought: I have a dream of playing at Real and I thought it was time to move on.

'People can't be upset about me fulfilling a childhood dream. I knew Real were interested in me and they had, allegedly, made a substantial offer. For a while, I wanted United to accept. If we hadn't been European champions, I probably wouldn't have thought about going to Madrid. And another thing - I never wanted to leave against United's will.

"I'm 100 per cent professional and have always given my heart and soul to this club," he told Inside United magazine.

"If one day I leave, I want to do it knowing I did everything I could to help the club win as much as possible."