Albiston, who is in the Province this week as part of the Legends XI Northern Ireland tour, made 485 appearances for Manchester United between 1974 and 1988.

Speaking to the News Letter website, the 51-year-old remains optimistic Ronaldo will be at Old Trafford next season despite intense media speculation linking the world renowned Portuguese winger to Spanish giants, Real Madrid.

Few players have represented the Red Devils more times than the left-back, who made four FA Cup final appearances during his tenure at United, collecting three winners' medals.

Albiston played alongside Northern Ireland stars Norman Whiteside and Sammy McIlroy and is confident current international defender, Jonny Evans, will have a successful future at the club.

The Scottish defender - who made his international debut for his country at Windsor Park in 1981 - also speaks of his admiration for David Healy and his Northern Ireland team mates following their dramatic Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

The Legends XI tour - also featuring Liverpool - kicked off on Sunday.

Both sides are featuring in a series of exhibition matches across Northern Ireland, before facing each other in a tantalising clash of the titans on Thursday evening in Coleraine.

Manchester United - including Albiston - began their Ulster visit on Sunday with a 3-3 draw at Newry before finally winning on penalty kicks.

The legends face Moyola Park in Casteldawson on Tuesday evening.

The week will culminate in a four-team tournament on Saturday - also involving Linfield and Glentoran - when the quartet will battle it out for the Belfast Cup at The Oval.

LOG ON TO THE NEWS LETTER WEBSITE ON WEDNESDAY TO SEE AN INTERVIEW WITH ECCENTRIC FORMER LIVERPOOL GOALKEEPER, BRUCE GROBBELAAR.