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Rooney urges Ronaldo to stay at Man United
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May 18, 2008 20:18 IST

Striker Wayne Rooney [Images] has urged Cristiano Ronaldo [Images] to stay and continue their prolific partnership at Manchester United [Images].

- Images: Man United retain EPL title

Premier League player of the year Ronaldo has again been linked with a move to long-term suitors Real Madrid [Images] after telling Spanish television this week that he might consider his future at United.

Rooney wants the 23-year-old Portugal winger to remain with the Premier League champions. The two players have scored 59 goals between them this season.

"I hope the partnership will continue for years. Ronaldo is a great player and it will be brilliant if we can keep him at the club for as long as possible. He's an unbelievable player," Rooney told reporters in the build-up to Wednesday's Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow [Images].

"What he's done for United in the last few years is brilliant and it makes you work hard.

"For Ronaldo to score those goals is helping the team. I've got no problem if he scores 60 goals in a season and I don't get anywhere near that," added the England [Images] striker who has struck 18 times this term.

FITTING TRIBUTE

United can repeat their 1999 domestic and European double on Wednesday and also provide a fitting tribute to the eight Busby Babes who died in the Munich air crash 50 years ago.

Manager Matt Busby rebuilt the team to win the European Cup ten years later.

"When you walk around the training ground there are pictures up of players from '58, '68 all the way through to today so there's a good history among the club and all the players are well educated on the history," Rooney said.

"The Champions League is very important with the history involved in the club -- 50 years ago being Munich and 40 years ago being the first win. So it will be good for the club and good for ourselves (if we win).

"I don't think it will be a burden, we just need to go out there and try and enjoy ourselves. If we enjoy playing I'm sure we will do well. If we go out there thinking a bit negative then it becomes harder for ourselves."

Rooney also believes pipping Chelsea to the league title will help to keep the pressure off Alex Ferguson's side.

"I think we will be bit a bit more relaxed with the Premier League in the bag and they might be anxious if they don't win anything," he said.

"To win the Champions League on the back of winning the league would be a great achievement by the team and we just have to go there to enjoy it."



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