Man United target Cristiano Ronaldo insists he is happy at Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo has played down reports he could re-join Manchester United after insisting he is happy to stay at Real Madrid.
Only three days after netting his 24th hat-trick for the club in their 8-2 victory over Deportivo La Coruna, Ronaldo went one better with goals in the 28th, 32nd, 80th and 90th minutes to set Real on their way to a third win of the Primera Division season against Elche on Tuesday night.
Ronaldo has been linked with a return to Old Trafford after reportedly expressing his frustration with the club's transfer policy, but he insisted after the 5-1 win: "It's all speculation, speaking about my future ... My future is Madrid. I'm happy.
"The season is going well and I'm not talking about my future, it doesn't make sense."
Edu Albacar had given Elche a surprise lead, but Gareth Bale quickly equalised before Ronaldo stole the show, netting in his 13th successive home La Liga game to become Madrid's third highest league goalscorer - behind Raul and Alfredo Di Stefano - on 187.
And Real coach Carlo Ancelotti feels Ronaldo more than merits the attention he receives.
"He doesn't like playing with his back to goal - he wants to look for spaces on the wing to be facing goal," the Italian told the club's official website.
"The movements he makes are very quick and that's why they come as a surprise. He is always in just the right position because he has a unique gift for movement.
"He needed a period of time in which to work; he has done that with the discipline and professionalism that he has. He's in very good physical shape, he's motivated and he's scoring a lot of goals."
Ancelotti was also impressed with the way his side have regained their composure in recent days after losing back-to-back matches in the league, including a derby defeat at the hands of Atletico.
He said: "The team played well, with greater balance, control and consistency. We reacted well after conceding.
"It isn't a question of the system; it's the work that everyone puts in. The team is in much better physical shape than against Atletico. As you improve physically, it's easier to have balance."
