Cristiano Ronaldo warned against Real Madrid exit

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is at the ideal club, according to the Spanish side's assistant manager Aitor Karanka.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a summer return to Manchester United, but Karanka insists that Ronaldo and Madrid are "good for each other".

"He will keep getting better. Here is the ideal place and for Real Madrid it is great to have him," said Karanka.

Ronaldo scored his 200th goal for Real in a 6-2 win over Malaga on Wednesday.

The Portugal international has reached the mark in just 197 games and his celebration, slapping the badge on his shirt and pointing repeatedly at the Bernabeu turf, was interpreted by some as an indication that he would stay beyond the end of this season.

Some Spanish media have added to the theory by claiming that Ronaldo was shouting "me, here" as he celebrated.

Ronaldo said in January that he would see out his current contract which expires in 2015, but was unsure where his career would take him after that.

He has since been linked with a return to Manchester United, who he left in an £80m move in July 2009 and with whom he had an emotional reunion in the Champions League in March, as well as French league leaders Paris St-Germain.

Ronaldo's compatriot Jose Mourinho was jeered by some of the Bernabeu crowd when his name was announced prior to the midweek win over Malaga.

The Portuguese boss is widely expected to leave Real in the summer and has unfavourably compared long-serving goalkeeper Iker Casillas to his current first-choice Diego Lopez.

The former Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan manager may be without Mesut Ozil for 17 May's Copa del Rey final against Atletico Madrid - which is likely to be his final chance to add to the Real Madrid trophy cabinet.

German playmaker Ozil was carried off after picking up an ankle injury that will be assessed over the next few days.

Real must beat Espanyol on Saturday to keep the pressure on league leaders Barcelona. Even if they win, the Catalans can secure the title with a victory over Atletico Madrid the following evening.