MU three wins in a row

Manchester United made it three wins out of three in the new Premier League season with a battling 2-1 victory at promoted Watford on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo, booed once again by the opposition fans, might have breached the Watford defence even earlier but saw his header fizz narrowly wide. Ryan Giggs scored the second-half winner for Manchester United and kept them two points clear of second-placed Everton.

Ronaldo To Ignore Boo-Boys

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to remain calm in the face of abuse from opposing fans this season. The Portugal winger, who helped his country knock England out of the World Cup this summer, was booed by Charlton fans during United's 3-0 win at The Valley on Wednesday.

And the 21-year-old is quoted in The Sun as saying: "I know I'm going to get whistled at in every game I play - but I am calm about it. "I have been through one away game now in the Premiership and I had to concentrate hard on the match. "The moment the whistling started I tried to convince myself that it was nothing to do with me. I tried to think just about the game. "Of course I heard it all, I'm not deaf. I just blocked my ears and concentrated on the game."

Ronaldo has been made a scapegoat for England's quarter-final defeat after encouraging the referee to send his United team-mate Wayne Rooney off during the match in Gelsenkirchen.

He subsequently announced he wanted to quit his club and join Real Madrid but now claims the loyalty shown to him by United fans has made him glad he stayed at Old Trafford. He is quoted in The Mirror as saying: "I went over to our fans after the Charlton game to let them know that they have a special place inside of me.

"I wanted to thank them in a special way for all the support they have given me, particularly in this game here, and to tell them I am Manchester United through and through - in my heart and soul."

C.Ronaldo thrive on boos

Attentiion, opposition fans

Booing Cristiano Ronaldo could seriously damage your team!

The Portuguese winker revelled in his bad-boy image as he ripped Charlton to bits, sending United top of the Premiership. Charlton fans booed Ronaldo from start to finish, expressing the nation’s anger at his World Cup antics, but it did not bother the United winger.

He thoroughly enjoyed himself and was cheered off by United fans who sang "there’s only one Ronaldo" as he smiled all the way down the tunnel. The extra spin-off to this anti-Ronaldo campaign is that the team is determined to rally round him.

There is a siege mentality among the players and there is nothing boss Alex Ferguson likes better than the feeling the world is against his club. He said the manner of this victory showed his team is maturing and described Ronaldo’s display as “absolutely sensational”.

It may only be early days but United have put down a marker to defending champions Chelsea in some style. They are the only side among the big four still to drop a point. Arsenal only drew at home to Aston Villa, Liverpool drew at Sheffield United and Chelsea surprisingly lost last night at Middlesbrough. Fergie’s men have also banged in eight goals in their two games and are playing with a swagger.

This was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. Not only did they score three times through Darren Fletcher, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they also hit the woodwork on three occasions as well. To think there was so much doom and gloom around when Fergie flogged Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid. Fans wondered where a new striker was coming from. Maybe they do not need one. Could it be they work better as a unit without the Dutchman, good as his scoring record was.

Boss : Ronaldo is fantastic

Sir Alex Ferguson has been impressed by the courage shown by Cristiano Ronaldo in the face of animosity from opposition fans – declaring that the 21-year-old winger has been “fantastic” and “courageous”.

Ronaldo has become the pantomime villain at away grounds around the country with fans treating the Portuguese winger as the scapegoat for England’s World Cup exit.Sir Alex never doubted that Ronaldo would react in a positive way. He said: “Cristiano has been fantastic. But I’m not surprised at all. In fact, I’d have put my life on him playing well. He’s got fantastic courage and belief in himself and he is improving.”

The United boss has witnessed, first hand, the kind of abuse Ronaldo has had to contend with.“On Wednesday I watched a fan up and down, screaming and shouting and bawling at Cristiano,” he said. “He didn’t watch the game at all for the first ten minutes. He must have had a bad Portuguese meal one time. “Eventually it was mumbles at the end, exactly what I thought would happen. He got fed up, his throat got sore.“Great players always get it,” he added. “It’s about having the courage not to be intimidated by it and take the game to the opponent. That’s what he does. I don’t think he relishes [the reaction he gets] but he isn’t intimidated by it. He has got real character.”

C.Ronaldo's heart and soul in United

Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his gratitude to the Manchester United supporters for backing him this season after being targeted by the boo-boys amongst opposition fans. The Portugal wide man has enjoyed a fine start to the campaign, scoring against Fulham and rattling the bar with a splendid strike in Wednesday's win at Charlton Athletic.

Although the media have been quick to portray Ronaldo as the villain of the piece in Wayne Rooney's World Cup sending off, the United fans, as expected, have offered the ex-Sporting Lisbon starlet unequivocal support. The biggest concern at Old Trafford was Ronaldo's affection for a move to Real Madrid but the player claims his heart is now with United. The pantomime booing of his every touch looks set to continue for the foreseeable future but it is not affecting the 21-year-old at all.

"It's something that will happen every time we play away from home, but I remain calm," he told A Bola. "I concentrate on the game and, as soon as it starts, I tell myself that it"s nothing to do with me. I try only to think about the match." Ronaldo is delighted to be receiving the continued instinting support of the United fans.
"[I went over to them] to let them know that they have a special place inside me," he declared.
"I wanted to thank them in a special way for all the support they have given me, particularly in this game here, and to tell them I am Manchester [United] through and through - in my heart and soul."

Rooney: Ronaldo and I are OK

Manchester United's two-goal hero Wayne Rooney says yesterday's display with Cristiano Ronaldo was proof they have kissed and made up.

Rooney also set up a goal for Ronaldo in the 5-1 win over Fulham and said afterwards: "I think we have let our football do the talking. "I've proved already from what I've said there is no problem between us. People say things but they do not really know the pair of us.

I was delighted Cristiano got his goal and showed what a talent he is. He was brilliant." Their celebrations were all a far cry from their World Cup quarter-final bust-up when Ronaldo helped to get Rooney sent off. Rooney, 20, and Paul Scholes now both face three-match bans after an FA disciplinary commission rejected their appeals against red cards from the Amsterdam Tournament. Rooney added: "Me and Scholesy are devastated with the ban particularly after the start we have had today."

C.Ronaldo : I'm staying clam

Cristiano Ronaldo expects a fiery reception when United travel to face Charlton on Wednesday night.At home to Fulham, the Portuguese winger endured a muted sample of the abuse he can expect from opposing fans this term after England's World Cup exit.

And Ronaldo is well aware that he will come in for far rougher rides at away games, starting with United's midweek trip to The Valley. He told The Sun: "The away games are going to be more complicated but I'm staying calm."

Ronaldo has been a target for opposing fans throughout his United career, and he plans to cope with any increased abuse by simply concentrating on his football. "In the home game (against Fulham) everything went well, it was relaxed, easy," he said."But I do know the next game will be a lot more complicated as it's the first away one. I'll try to put it out of my mind and do my best."

Team-mate John O'Shea, meanwhile, has backed Ronaldo to use the terrace taunts as inspiration. "I think he is up to the test," he said. "I think he will thrive on it. I have no fears about him whatsoever. It has always been the case, some players have been targeted after certain things. It seems to spur them on. The more they boo him, the better it will be for us. Soon enough, people will realise it will be better to leave him alone, then, I am sure it will die off."

MU 5-1 win over Fulham, C.Ronaldo home goal

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney teamed up for the first time since the World Cup to help Manchester United thrash hapless Fulham.

Louis Saha headed United in front on seven minutes before his cross forced Ian Pearce to divert into his own net. Rooney tapped in before crossing for Ronaldo to make it four in 19 minutes.
Fulham pulled one back when Rio Ferdinand deflected Heidar Helguson's effort into his own net but Rooney wrapped up the victory after the break. Sir Alex Ferguson and his players had stressed the need for United to begin the season firing on all cylinders - but they could not have dreamed of a start like this.

Ronaldo and Rooney competed in the same United side for the first time since their World Cup quarter-final disagreement, and the pair responded with some delightful interchanges.

However, they did have the luxury of playing against a shambolic Fulham defence. United went ahead when a superb cross from Ryan Giggs fell between Pearce and Liam Rosenior, allowing Saha to head home his third goal against his former club.

Pearce then got in front of Rooney to try to cut out Saha's low cross from the left but could only steer the ball into his own net on 14 minutes. With Fulham in complete disarray, Rooney sidefooted a third after Antti Niemi had parried Saha's volley before turning provider for Ronaldo to half-volley home a fourth with just 19 minutes gone.

It could even have been much worse for Chris Coleman's side by the time they headed for the changing rooms at half-time. Rosenior cleared a dangerous Giggs corner off the line and Paul Scholes saw his venomous strike cannon back off the foot of the post.
Fulham's first-half display did not merit a goal, but they found the net when Helguson's shot hit Ferdinand and looped over the stranded Edwin van der Sar six minutes before the break.

Michael Brown was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card for a horrible two-footed lunge on Giggs after the interval. The usually placid Giggs was clearly upset and was booked for a clumsy challenge on the Fulham midfielder before both players were substituted. United extended their lead again with a devastating attack on 63 minutes.
Ronaldo picked up the ball from Scholes and fed the overlapping Wes Brown, who pulled it back for Rooney to shoot low into the corner. United took their foot off the pedal as the clock ran down, but Fulham were too shell-shocked to take advantage.

Fergie : Ronaldo can handle stick

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United will not be calling for any additional security to safeguard Cristiano Ronaldo this season.

Ronaldo has already been verbally abused at Oxford after being singled out following England's World Cup exit to Portugal and more of the same can be expected at Charlton and Watford this week as Manchester United embark on their first away days of the new Premiership season.

So far, the 21-year-old has shown little sign of being affected by the barracking, scoring twice at Oxford, then another in United's friendly win over Sevilla last weekend when he received huge applause from the home fans.

Ferguson expects Ronaldo to remain untroubled. And, reflecting on previous occasions when United players have been singled out for negative treatment by opposition supporters, the Scot is convinced there is no need to fear the problem turning into a physical one.

"We don't need to shield Cristiano," said Ferguson. "I don't think fans are that vicious in terms of needing security and safety. "They may boo. That is no problem. Cristiano is mentally strong, so they can boo as long as they like. "These situations are nothing new to us. We had it with Eric Cantona and David Beckham. They were burning effigies of David at West Ham immediately after the 1998 World Cup. "We navigated it and so did David and we will do the same again."

My father’s passing knocked me back

Cristiano Ronaldo is playing arguably the best football of his career. And Manchester United fans will be thrilled to hear the Portuguese superstar has pledged his future to the club, promising to repay the English giants for the faith shown in him after a difficult season on and off the pitch.

Having suffered from the tragic death of his father in September, Ronaldo was the subject of false rape allegations in October and was banned by UEFA for an abusive gesture towards Benfica fans in Lisbon as United crashed out of the Champions League in December.

In an honest and emotional interview, Ronaldo recently talked to the Manchester Evening News on the effect his father’s death has had on him and how he intends to repay the belief United have shown in him by winning trophies with the club.

Ronaldo admits that losing his father has been extremely difficult to cope with and that it has affected him both on and off the pitch. "Obviously it has been really, really hard to take since my father died. Psychologically it was very tough," he said.

"If you are not feeling well mentally because of something as awful as that, you will take that on to the pitch whether you like it or not and whether you are strong or not. It will affect you no matter what."

"I loved him the most in the world and it was a very difficult time for me. I had some poor matches because, psychologically, I wasn't right for matches," he admitted."But life goes on and I am looking to the future. These things happen to everybody. Nobody has a heart of iron. That’s life. To cope with it is one of the experiences in life that make you stronger."

Emotional occasion
Speaking before United’s Carling Cup final win over Wigan – in which Ronaldo scored – it was clear that this would be a very emotional occasion for the winger, being the first final since the passing of his father.

"Of course, it will be in my mind initially on Sunday. When you are at finals it is always nice to look around the stadium and see people you know and to know people who mean a lot to you are there."

"But this time he won’t be there and I know that will be tough to take. It will be difficult. But he will be with me in my heart. I will think about him and I know he will be looking down on me and I would like to win it for him. I want to repay United’s faith in me."

Despite signing a new 5-year deal with the club before Christmas, recent press speculation has suggested that a move to Juventus could be an option for the 21-year-old Portuguese star in the summer.

However, Ronaldo has refuted any talk of a move and vowed to repay United for the belief they have shown in him since his £12m move from Sporting in 2003. "United have supported me all the way this season and for that I am grateful,” he said. "They have stood by me and been there for me and I want to repay them for that. They were also the only club that showed 100 per cent commitment towards me. They brought me to England and tried to make me a better player and they have worked hard and put the work in to do that with me. There is nobody else who could make me what I am now and I am really thankful. I will repay the faith.”

Ronaldo has admitted though that the club will be looking to win more trophies in the near future. In the three years that Ronaldo has been at United, the club has won just one FA Cup before the recent Carling Cup success.

“At the moment I am still very disappointed because Manchester United are the biggest club in the world but I haven’t got the Premiership title yet,” he said."But I have many years ahead of me and I am sure that I will win it one day with United. I really believe there are so many things to be won out there with this club and I want them so badly. I have won the FA Cup with United but I am thirsty to win more and bigger trophies.”

Having been knocked out of the Champions League by Benfica and lost in the FA Cup recently to rivals Liverpool, Ronaldo remains positive and is looking ahead."I am disappointed we’re not in the Champions League and the FA Cup. But that is all in the past. We can't change that but we can change and affect the future."

My game has matured at Manchester United
The former Sporting star also believes that his overall game has improved during his time at Old Trafford, after some early criticism from sections of the British press for taking too much time on the ball.

"My game has matured. I admit I did over-indulge on the tricks at times. I know the fans think I do it too much but I want them to know I am working on it." "did it at the wrong times. I know the crowd love it at the right times and I have tried to concentrate on that."

"If we are drawing or are in trouble then that is no time for me to be doing some fancy footwork. I hope people saw at Liverpool last Saturday that I kept it to a minimum because it wasn’t the right moment, or the right thing to do. It is all part of the learning process I am going through with Manchester United."

C.Ronaldo won "Young Player of the Season"

Cristiano Ronaldo has won ManUtdWeb's 'Young Player of the Season' poll following an impressive 2005/2006 campaign, picking up some 45% of the vote. The 21-year-old fought off competition from Wayne Rooney and Giuseppe Rossi to claim the award.

The winger made some 47 appearances, netting 12 goals and showed added maturity to his game as he continues to progress with United. Ronaldo's form throughout the season is even more admirable considering personal circumstances which could easily have derailed his campaign.

The 21-year-old suffered the tragic loss of his father and was later subject to a high-profile rape allegation which was eventually proved to be false. However, following his antics at the World Cup in Germany, the Portuguese international winning this poll may surprise many. He has shouldered the blame from the press for Wayne Rooney's dismissal in the quarter-final showdown with England, seemingly urging the referee to dismiss his United team-mate in a move which helped cause Sven Goran Eriksson's premature exit.

Ronaldo picked up some 45% of the vote, shrugging of competition from Rooney (39%) and reserve-team goal machine Giuseppe Rossi (16%). Attentions now turn to our 'Player of the Season' poll. Rooney and Ronaldo are both candidates, joined by Edwin Van Der Sar, Ji-Sung Park, Ryan Giggs and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, of course now with Real Madrid. Who impressed you the most over the course of last season? To vote, simply use the 'ballot box' on the right-hand menu of the web-site.

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Warm Welcome

Steven Gerrard may think Cristiano Ronaldo is a disgrace, but C.Ron can rest assured that he has nothing to worry about from United fans this season.

The Liverpool captain's attack on Ronaldo made a few headlines and may even sell a few books. But while some people seem unable to put `Winkgate' behind them, the fact is that Ronaldo's role in Wayne Rooney's England sending-off is now history.

Ronaldo lit up Saturday's friendly against the UEFA Cup holders by making a goal for Louis Saha and scoring one himself in United's 3-0 victory. The manner in which he was engulfed by his team-mates after scoring with a free-kick two minutes from the end suggested he has been welcomed back into the fold.

"Cristiano got a good reception," was manager Sir Alex Ferguson's post-match verdict. "He needs the games; that will help him. A week's full training with us this week will help him too."

The boss was happy with Ronaldo's display, and delighted with a rather flattering scoreline secured with two goals in the final three minutes. But Fergie was honest enough to admit that it was not much fun to watch.

"I thought it was a pretty slow game actually," he said. "The first half was a bit pedestrian. But in fairness, we improved our passing in the second half and played some nice football. We probably deserved the win but it wasn't a 3-0 scoreline."

O'Shea: No problem between Rooney & Ronaldo

John O'Shea has laughed off "the circus" which has surrounded Manchester United team-mates Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent weeks.

When Portugal winger Ronaldo played a part in helping England striker Rooney get sent off in a World Cup quarter-final, it sparked a raging debate the duo would never be able to play together again for United.

Nothing could be further from the truth as far as O'Shea is concerned as he insists there is a unified front at Old Trafford. "There have been no problems between Wayne and Ronaldo," said O'Shea. "It's actually been quite funny at times the circus that has gone on. "Obviously, they weren't team-mates at the time, they were trying to do their best for their countries. "But they're back now, they're team-mates again and they are looking forward to the season starting."

Rooney : I like Cristiano

Wayne Rooney has called out to fans to lay off Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been made the public enemy number one after he was involved in the sending off of Rooney during the World Cup 2006.

After making peace with Ronaldo, Rooney feels that Ronaldo should not suffer further abuse from the fans. "I would rather he didn't get any stick," said Rooney. "You do not want to see any player get booed.


"Unfortunately, whenever England do not do well in a World Cup or a major tournament, people look for a scapegoat. This year, people turned on Cristiano and tried to make him that. "I am not going to lie, I was disappointed with his involvement in the sending off. But that is in the past now. He was playing for his country, I was playing for mine.

"But I think he is big enough to deal with anything that come his way. You saw that the other night. Cristiano got booed but he still scored two fantastic goals."

"A lot has been said about the wink," said Rooney. "I have spoken to him about that but it had nothing to do with me being sent off." "You do not have to like someone to play with them," said Rooney.

"In the end, even if you don't like them off the pitch you want to play with them and you will fight for them and work 110% because you are on the same pitch if you are in the same team. "But I like Cristiano. We are good friends off the pitch. "There is no problem with him. Now, we are both playing for Manchester United and trying to do our best for them."

C.Ronaldo shut up the boo boys

CRISTIANO Ronaldo shut up the boo-boys with two goals and a fine display in a 4-1 win at Oxford last night.

The 20-year-old Portuguese winger was booed throughout by home fans at the Ksassam Stadium, but responded with a beaming smile and two excellent strikes in his first game back in England since his World Cup bust-up with United teammate Wayne Rooney.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with Ronaldo's return, saying: "He took his goals very well, two great strikes, and handled the whole thing very well. It was a terrific display by him."

Ferguson took both Gabriel Heinze and Ronaldo off but French pair Mikael Silvestre and Louis Saha played the full 90 minutes. He explained: "Mikael and Louis have had less World Cup than the other two, so they had full games, and came through well."

Ferguson had intended to play Rooney but he suffered a slight groin strain in training on Monday and was rested as a precaution.

Goal again !

Cristiano Ronaldo received a warm reception at Old Trafford as Manchester United beat Sevilla3-0.

Ronaldo sent in a low cross which Louis Saha met and put United in front against the UEFA Cup winners, before finding the net himself as Daniel Alves sliced home his late, goalbound free-kick.With David Jones rasping in an injury-time third, United ended their pre-season programme in fine form.

When Cristiano meet Wayne

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his players Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to patch up their World Cup differences before the start of next season.

The pair both returned to Manchester yesterday for premiership training and Ferguson watched on while they grudgingly shook hands. Fergie summoned both Rooney and Ronaldo to his office and delivered a good humoured warning saying he would "box their ears"unless they bonded and kept focussed.

An insider told the Daily Star: "The boss was in great spirits, shook both their hands then watched them shake each other's hands. "Then he told them if there was any fighting to be done, like the papers were saying, he would be in the front line himself. "That immediately diffused the situation. Fergie handled it very well indeed and made it perfectly clear that whatever went on at the World Cup was history." But will they both be able to keep their cool…wait and see.