Sir Alex Ferguson has made up his mind on Cristiano Ronaldo and wants the 37-year-old to stay at Manchester United next season, according to a report.

The Portugal international has proved one of the only shining lights at Old Trafford this season. Indeed, Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Brighton took United to 56 goals conceded this season – a club record in the Premier League era.

What’s more, the Red Devils will now go on to record their lowest-ever points tally since the top flight’s reformation.

At the other end, though, Ronaldo’s 24 goals in 39 games have stopped the club’s situation getting worse.

Amid Man Utd‘s now highly likely failure to make the top four and next season’s Champions League, speculation has surfaced about whether Ronaldo will stay.

According to the Sunday Mirror, though, club icon Ferguson has asked the striker to stay for the second year of the two-year deal he signed last summer from Juventus.

United and Ronaldo have the option of extending for a further year to cover the 2023/24 season. However, the focus for now is on next term as new manager Erik ten Hag prepares to step in.

The newspaper adds that Ronaldo has held a ‘series of private meetings’ with former manager Ferguson over his Old Trafford future.

The pair have also discussed how United’s season has gone from one of optimism to their current situation.

United finished second in the Premier League last season and started this campaign brightly. Ronaldo’s instant impact with two goals in his first three games added to expectations, which have not been met.