Carlo Ancelotti has told The Sun he is "100 percent certain" Cristiano Ronaldo will not be leaving Real Madrid for Manchester United next summer, and admits his side are dependent on the forward.
Ronaldo, 29, has scored 15 goals in just seven Primera Division appearances this season, but has been linked with a return to United -- the club he left to join Real in an 80 million-pound deal five years ago.
Despite speculation that Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal could launch a huge bid for the Portugal international, Ancelotti believes Ronaldo will end his career at the Bernabeu.
"Of course Ronaldo-dependence exists. If Real lose Ronaldo they lose a player that scores in all the matches," he said.
"Everyone can be changed and substituted but Ronaldo is now the best in the world and it means Madrid lose the best player which is a huge loss.
"But this won't happen, because Ronaldo will go to the end of his career at Real Madrid. I'm 100 percent certain he will be here next season not at Manchester United -- 100 percent.
"Because he's happy here, he's loved here by everyone. The club is happy to have the best player in the world. It's a perfect relationship at this moment so I don't think it will change. Ronaldo will finish his career here."
Champions League holders Real face Liverpool on Wednesday, and Ancelotti suggests that Ronaldo's goal record in Spain -- 271 in just 258 appearances -- ensures his side have the advantage at Anfield.
Asked if Ronaldo's presence effectively means a 1-0 head-start against Brendan Rodgers'side, Ancelotti replied: "Well, I don't know, even so, maybe we will lose 2-1 or 3-2. But the statistic says that. The facts he's scored something like 280 goals in 250 matches.
"I know that that's why I say when you have Cristiano you start with an advantage. After that there is a match and you have to play it with all the team together but us having him is a great advantage.
"Firstly, it was not easy to say he's the best I've ever coached because I have had the fortune to coach the best -- even defenders and goalkeepers. So many great players. But, yes, it does surprise me that he scores in every match."
One player who did make the switch from the Bernabeu to Old Trafford this summer was Angel Di Maria, who joined United in a 59.7 million-pound deal -- but Ancelotti says it was the player's wage demands, rather than his ability, that dictated the sale.
"No one wanted Di Maria to leave," he said. "Di Maria asked for a new contract with figures where Madrid could not go. Because Real have a policy regarding salaries that, apart from a player like Ronaldo, the others are at a level that the club wants to maintain.
"When a player wants more than that, there's nothing else we could do. We tried to convince the player to lower his demands but he didn't change idea so we thought of replacing him.
"When Real Madrid tell Di Maria that 'it can't be done', Di Maria looks for a club naturally with great history and tradition like United.
"I don't think Di Maria went to United only because they paid him more. It's a team that has one of the biggest histories and traditions in the world. What Di Maria earns now I don't know.
"I only said that money was the only reason he left Madrid. But knowing Di Maria he did not just go to United for money.
"I had a very good relationship with Di Maria and wish him all the best. For me, he was fundamental for La Decima [10th European Cup triumph]. He's a great player.
"I work for the club and I think the decision we took not to raise that salary ceiling was right."