But Ronaldo, who is looking to add a Carling Cup winners’ medal to the FA Cup medal he picked up in 2004 when United take on Wigan in Cardiff on Sunday, insists he has no wish to leave United.

“United have stood by me and been there for me and I want to repay that,” Ronaldo told the Manchester Evening News.

“They were also the only club that showed 100% commitment towards me. They brought me to England and tried to make me a better player and they have worked hard.

“There is nobody else who could make me what I am now and I am really thankful. I will repay the faith.”

Sunday’s Millennium Stadium showpiece will be tinged with sadness for the 20-year-old because it will be the first time he has played a major game since the death of his father last summer.

Not long afterwards, Ronaldo was also at the centre of unfounded rape allegations and life on the pitch has not been much easier either with a sending-off at Manchester City followed by a one-match ban imposed by UEFA for an ill-advised ‘one-fingered’ gesture to Benfica fans in Lisbon last December as United crashed out of the Champions League.

Of all those events, it is undoubtedly the death of his father which has had the most effect.

And Ronaldo has vowed to help United to glory this weekend in his memory.

“Obviously it has been really hard to take since my father died,” he said. “Psychologically it was very tough and you are bound to take it onto the pitch whether you like it or not.

“I know he won’t be there on Sunday and that will be tough to take. But he will be with me in my heart. I will think about him and I would like to win it for him.”