Ferguson: Ron was always going to leave

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United's acceptance of Madrid's £80million bid for the Portugal playmaker earlier this week brought an end to one of the longest-running transfer sagas of recent years.

But Ferguson insists it was out of the question to expect the player to stay any longer, telling The Mail on Sunday; "He wanted to leave, it's as simple as that. He was going to go some time."

"We've done well to keep him for so long."

Madrid's record swoop for the FIFA World Player of the Year is set to be concluded by June 30.