... I have to be myself ...

...I'm not going to stop
trying to beat defenders in England. I have to be myself.
Just because a referee doesn't give a free-kick
or chooses not to send off
someone who deserves it, doesn't mean I should become
Just because a referee another player.

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has stressed that he is not going to change his style of play fearing hard tackles from defenders in the English game.

The 22-year-old Portuguese international has mesmerised the opponents with his exotic skills and has often drawn fouls from the rivals.

"In Portugal the football is quite different, more technical," he told Manchester United Opus.

"People want to play football. Here it's more physical, more confrontational. People just tackle you hard if you try to play football.

"But I'm not going to stop trying to beat defenders in England. I have to be myself. Just because a referee doesn't give a free-kick or chooses not to send off someone who deserves it, doesn't mean I should become another player.

"But the referees here always tend to favour defenders, because they get to tackle a lot without getting a yellow card. It's very difficult for a defender in England to get sent off by collecting two yellow cards."

Ronaldo has however changed his attitude after being accused of diving earlier in his career.

"I remember in the first year I was criticised for going to the floor too easily. That was an area of my game I had to change quite fast. It was, perhaps, the biggest lesson I've learned in England. It's a different type of game in Portugal."

"If you want to be one of the best players in the world, which I want to, you have to learn all the time. Another thing I have to do is finish better and get more goals. If you are a good scorer people see you in a different dimension. In a couple of years, if I'm scoring more, people will think more of me."

MU 4 : 2 Everton

United took a massive step towards Premiership glory with an extraordinary second-half performance at Goodison Park.

Sir Alex Ferguson's remarkable side, trailing 1-0 to Everton at half-time, went a further goal behind before finding their own shooting boots to go five points clear of Chelsea who were surprisingly held 2-2 at home by Bolton.

United kicked off the first of their final four Premiership fixtures without the PFA Player of the Year. Reds fans inside Everton’s sunkissed ground pondered Sir Alex Ferguson’s selection – was it tactical ahead of the Milan trip, or had Ronaldo been struck down by the injury jinx that’s wreaked havoc in the defensive ranks? .......Read More

"I won't stop doing my tricks"

...I was born with my ability.
The stepover, for example, is something I did as soon as I started in my first teams.
I used to play football on the street when I was a boy,and every day I tried to do different things....

He accepted the challenge and has recreated the magic. Cristiano Ronaldo is a true Manchester United No 7.

George Best, Steve Coppell, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham all became United icons before him. Now Ronaldo is the new Old Trafford talisman.

"I've seen Beckham and Cantona — and films of George Best. Now I, too, have the No 7 and I will do my best to become a great player like those players from the past," he says.

"All the ones you've mentioned were entertaining players, like me, and perhaps there's a certain spirit about the jersey. The No 7 shirt is a legend's shirt at Manchester United, especially."

Can the double award-winning PFA Player of the Year, scorer of 24 goals this season, become the greatest of them all? Having recently signed a five-year contract, Ronaldo is at home on the Old Trafford stage.

"Before I came, I knew it was a big club, one of the best in the world. Everybody, more or less, knows Man United, even those who don't follow football. Being the first Portuguese to play for them is a big honour.

This is a club where you can grow as a footballer, reach as high a level as you want to.

"The manager encourages young players, Sir Alex has helped me a lot, supporting me through some difficult times. I think he's a very human person, very sincere."

Honoured by his fellow professionals, Ronaldo's growing popularity is all the more remarkable given his part in Wayne Rooney's World Cup red card, as well as his theatrical introduction into English football.

Now just about everyone outside of Middlesbrough has forgiven him. He accepts: "In Portugal, the football is quite different, more technical.

"People want to play football. Here it's more physical, more confrontational. People just tackle you hard if you try to play football.

"I remember in the first year, I was criticised for going to the floor too easily. That was an area of my game I had to change quite fast. It was, perhaps, the biggest lesson I've learned in England. It's a different type of game in Portugal. But the rules should be the same. If it's a free-kick the referee should give a free-kick. But here, referees choose to ignore fouls a lot of the time."

Asked if he tries to cheat when he goes to ground, Ronaldo responded: "No. There's a different mentality here, and it's not just the players, but the referees, too.

"Although there are some English players who are very technical, you don't have many. Portuguese or Spanish or Brazilian football is more technical.

"But I'm not going to stop trying to beat defenders in England. I have to be myself. Just because the referee doesn't give a free-kick or chooses not to send off someone who deserves it, doesn't mean I should become another player. I'll always take people on, it's my identity.

"But the referees here tend to favour defenders, because they get to tackle a lot without getting a yellow card. It's very difficult for a defender in England to get sent off by collecting two yellow cards.

"I think the referees should protect the attackers more, not only me, not only wingers, but strikers as well. If it's a dirty tackle or a harsh tackle, the ref should give a yellow card right away. But they don't, they're often told, 'Next time it' s a booking'."

Ronaldo says: "I was born with my ability. The stepover, for example, is something I did as soon as I started in my first teams. I used to play football on the street when I was a boy, and every day I tried to do different things.

"I always tried to invent new dribbles, new moves. Things would come into my mind and I'd try them. I think this attitude stayed. I always looked to have my own identity. That was my dream.

"The tricks came with me. I didn't watch football on television. But, of course, other players inspire you. I used to go to watch my cousins and brothers, and sometimes I would try and do the same things as them. My father was a kit man for the local club; I was always with him, watching the matches.

He added: "I wasn't always big. Even when I left Madeira at 13 I remember people saying I couldn't become a professional because I was too short. Then, suddenly, between 15 and 18 I jumped up and became as tall as I am now.

"But in the days playing in the street, it was always against older, much bigger, boys. I suffered because I had good ability and I dribbled a lot, suddenly I'd be pushed or tackled hard and I was out of the game. Sometimes when I tricked them, they didn't like it. They beat me sometimes.

"But it never stopped me being the player I am. I've always had a strong personality, because when a defender tackles you hard or challenges you mentally, you can't show weakness. You have to try and get over it and beat them with the ball." Ronaldo has more end-product to his skills now, too. "Nowadays it doesn't matter what tricks I do, they have to be of use to the team.

"If you want to be one of the best players in the world, which I want to, you have to learn all the time. Another thing I have to do is finish better and get more goals. If you are a good scorer people see you in a different dimension. In a couple of years, if I'm scoring more, people will think better of me."

It seems that process is already under way.

CR brushes off penalty claims

Cristiano Ronaldo thinks Jose Mourinho "doesn't know how to admit his own failures" following the Chelsea manager's controversial comments about penalties.

Mourinho claimed last Sunday that "new laws" on spot-kicks applied to Manchester United but not to Chelsea, after his side were denied a penalty in the goalless draw at Newcastle. A day earlier United had been fortunate not to concede a late penalty against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.

"We all know how he is," PFA player and young player of the year Ronaldo was reported to have told Portuguese TV. "He always has to say something when he is not happy. Jose Mourinho doesn't know how to admit his own
failures."

Mourinho responded by reportedly telling RTP TV that Ronaldo will "never reach the level that he wants to reach" unless he accepts "facts".

He is reported to have said: "A player who wants to be the best one of the world, and he already may be, should have the uprightness and the sufficient maturity to verify that against facts there are not arguments.

"If he says that it is a lie that Manchester United have conceded some penalties this season which have not been awarded against them, he is lying.

"And if he lies he will never reach the level that he wants to reach."

United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz was also quoted as saying: "Mourinho has his own style, he always tries to divert everyone's attention to the points which are convenient for him.

"These are his tactics and that's the way he is."

MU 3 : 2 AC Milian

Get Your Rudebox!!
Wayne Rooney struck an injury time winner as United came from behind to win a pulsating Champions League semi-final, first leg at Old Trafford.

The England striker struck in the first minute of added time, having earlier pulled United level after a fine Kaka double had negated Cristiano Ronaldo's early opener.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side now take a 3-2 advantage into next Wednesday's second leg at the San Siro, albeit minus the suspended Patrice Evra....Read more

..the best moment is coming...

...well,
to be honest,
I think
the best moment is coming......

THIS MUST HAVE BEEN A VERY SPECIAL NIGHT FOR YOU?

Yes it has. I spoke to someone recently and they told me that only one player had ever won both trophies before so of course I'm very happy. This is a really big honour and I want to keep working hard at my game because winning trophies like this gives me even more motivation.


HAS THIS BEEN THE BEST SEASON OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

Yes, at this moment I'm more confident, more mature, and I feel I'm playing better, and my teammates have helped me as well. When the team are playing well it's easier for me to play well. I think everything is right here at Manchester United and I'm enjoying my football.

IS THERE EVEN MORE TO COME FROM YOU AS A PLAYER?

I'm still young and I am learning all the time. There is plenty of time for me to learn even more and improve myself as a player. Of course winning trophies like these are very important and they give me the inspiration to want to do even better in my career.

WHY DO YOU THINK IT HAS GONE SO WELL FOR YOU THIS SEASON?

The main thing has been the performance of the team. Because the team is playing good football and winning games it is better for me and my confidence. I try to work hard in training, and of course in the matches also, but everything is okay and I want to keep going and win more trophies.

FOREIGN STARS SUCH AS ERIC CANTONA, DENNIS BERGKAMP AND THIERRY HENRY HAVE WON THE PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE THE FIRST PORTUGUSE PLAYER TO BE HONOURED AT THE PFA AWARDS?

It feels great. It's a big thing to win awards like these in the English Premier League and I'm very happy. The fellow players voted for me and that is fantastic because they know the qualities that players have. It has been a great season for the club so far but I think the best is still to come.

THE FACT THAT THERE ARE EIGHT MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYERS IN THE PFA PREMIERSHIP TEAM OF THE YEAR SHOWS WHAT A TREMENDOUS CAMPAIGN IT HAS BEEN FOR THE CLUB, DOESN'T IT?

It is amazing and it shows you the quality that we have at Manchester United. To have eight players in the side is great and although it is me that has won the trophy, for which I am very proud, my colleagues have helped me very much.

Ronaldo scoops awards hat-trick

Hot on the heels of his double award at the PFA Awards' dinner, Cristiano Ronaldo has added the PFA Fans' Player of the Year prize to his collection.

The 22-year-old winger was crowned both Players' Player and Young Player of the Year at a ceremony on Sunday evening and he has now been named fans' favourite by readers of the PFA's website - givemefootball.com.

PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor paid tribute to the treble award winner, saying: "He is the most exciting player in the country at the moment. The quickness of his feet and the skills he possesses make you think, at times, that he's from another planet.

"This season was a big test for him, both of his temperament and his ability to rise above the abuse he received after the incident with Wayne Rooney at the World Cup, and he has passed with flying colours in every department."

Cris in rare double honour.....Congratulation !

M anchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers' Association. The 22-year-old winger is the first player to win both awards in the same season since Andy Gray in 1977.

The Portuguese has recovered from the controversy of last year's World Cup to help United battle for three trophies.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was second and Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes third in the senior award. Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs, last year's winner Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and 19-year-old Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas also made ths shortlist.

PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2007:
Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra (all Man Utd); Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo (all Man Utd) and Steven Gerrard (Liverpool); Didier Drogba (Chelsea) and Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)

Ronaldo was booed at the start of the season for his part in Wayne Rooney's sending off in the quarter-final match between England and Portugal in Germany. But he has bounced back superbly and has so far scored 16 Premiership goals this season to fire United to the top of the table.

The winger said it was a big honour to be singled out by his peers.

He said: "It is a special night. It is amazing and a big honour for me to win trophies like this in the English Premier League. I am very proud. My colleagues have voted for me and that is fantastic because the players know the qualities of players."

"I want to keep working hard and getting better because these trophies have now given me more motivation. This great team has helped me because when the team wins it is easier for us all to play with more confidence."

Fabregas was second and Tottenham's Aaron Lennon, 20, third in the voting for the young player award. Ronaldo's team-mate Wayne Rooney (21) was also shortlisted, as were Reading striker Kevin Doyle, 23, and 18-year-old defender Micah Richards of Manchester City.

Eight Manchester United players made it into the team of the year while manager Sir Alex Ferguson was honoured with the PFA Special Merit Award.

Ferguson paid tribute to Ronaldo, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon in a £12.2m deal in August 2003. "At this moment in time, I think he is the best player in the world and his season has been incredible," he said.

CR will overtaking KaKa

The two greatest players on the planet meet at Old Trafford on Tuesday - with Sir Alex Ferguson believing Cristiano Ronaldo can steal the limelight from Brazilian Kaka.

The last time the pair met, in the Champions League first knockout stage two years ago, it was mesmeric midfielder Kaka who came out on top as AC Milan won both legs 1-0, with goals from former Chelsea star Hernan Crespo.

But Ferguson believes Ronaldo, along with Wayne Rooney, have matured from kids to kings - and they can shoot United into the Final in Athens on May 23.

"On present form I would say that Ronaldo and Kaka are currently the two best players in the world," said Ferguson. "Ronaldo has been fantastic for us this season but Kaka is a great talent too.

"There are other wonderful players on both sides, like Maldini, but Ronaldo and Kaka do stand out and it has all the makings of a great European tie. The one thing I can promise Milan, though, is that they will be facing a much better team than the last time they played us.

"I think the progress my team have made since we last met in 2005 is best reflected by comparing our amazing 7-1 win over Roma with the Champions League experience we had against AC Milan.

"As far as a lot of the players were concerned they were just setting out on a learning curve in Europe. Players like Rooney and Ronaldo were not ready for those kind of nights and found it difficult against experienced, accomplished opponents. But how different they looked against Roma, the boys had become men - and that maturity has developed right through the squad."

Even without the guidance of Gary Neville, who has been injured for over a month, Ferguson has seen his stars rise to the Treble challenge.

"We don't need a natural leader like Roy Keane anymore because the players are all playing well individually and are all playing their part," said the United boss. Success brings people to the fore, that's what we are seeing now. Once you get that smell of success then that togetherness comes."

"We have a different way about us now. Roy Keane had an aggressive personality and he dominated on the pitch and in the dressing room. We looked for years for someone to replace him, but those players aren't around anymore. So we now have players who can influence the team in a different way to how Roy did it and the way we have adapted is fantastic."

Meanwhile, Kaka has revealed how AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has warned his players not to just focus on Ronaldo.

Kaka said: "Everybody keeps on about Ronaldo but United have 10 other players and all with great quality. Ronaldo is playing well but we are not only concentrating on him and forgetting all the rest."

"That would be a big mistake and Ancelotti has repeated it to us a hundred times. We are going to go into the game having done our homework and now we have to show we have learned our lesson. Paolo Maldini has insisted that he wants to lift one more trophy and at his age his teammates do not want to let down the captain of Milan."

MU 1 : 1 Boro

United's lead at the top of the Premiership was extended at Old Trafford this afternoon, but not by the margin Sir Alex would have hoped.

An early Kieran Richardson goal sent the Reds charging into the lead but a Mark Viduka header in first-half injury time did enough to earn Middlesbrough a point. The result now leaves United just four points clear at the top of the Premiership, with Chelsea playing Newcastle tomorrow.

Before kick-off, United received a boost with the news that Rio Ferdinand had recovered sufficiently from a groin strain sustained seven days earlier to take his place in the starting XI. It was just as well, as left back Patrice Evra was nowhere to be seen after limping off in mid-week against Sheffield United....... Read more

Pele : Ronaldo still has more to prove

"Ronaldo plays very well in England, but to mention him .... as one of the best players in the world I think is very soon"

Brazilian legend Pele thinks Cristiano Ronaldo cannot yet be bracketed among the world's top players. Ronaldo has been in the form of his life this season, helping to inspire Manchester United's Treble charge.

And while Sir Alex Ferguson has likened him to Pele and Maradona, arguably the world's greatest footballer ever believes Ronaldo still has some way to go.

Pele said: "Of course Cristiano Ronaldo today is one of the good players, he plays very well in England, but to mention him as one of the best players in the world I think is very soon.

"We have Kaka who plays very well too and I think Kaka is at the same level as him. Some years ago, four or five years ago, we had Ronaldinho in good shape.

"I think to compare Cristiano with the great players is too soon, we have to wait a little bit, let's see in one or two more years if they keep at the same level."

Just like playing against Jordan

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney have been hailed as the Michael Jordans of football. Watford's Jay DeMerit witnessed Jordan's immense talent as a kid growing up in America and after facing Rooney and Ronaldo, he claims they are just as unstoppable as the basketball legend.

MICHAEL JORDAN
Top contract: £16.5m-a-year. Sponsors: Nike, Coca-Cola, Gatorade, Chevrolet, McDonald's. Top achievements: Olympic gold medal winner 1984, 1992; 6 NBA titles; NBA's Most Valuable Player five times.

CRISTIANO RONALDO
Top contract: £7.28m-a-year. Sponsors: Nike, Coca-Cola, Fuji Xerox, Suzuki, Extra Joss. Top achievements: FA Cup winner 2005; Carling Cup winner 2006; named Portugal captain 2007.

WAYNE ROONEY
Top contract: £5.2m-a-year. Sponsors: Nike, Coca-Cola, Nokia, Ford, Asda. Top achievements: FA Cup winner 2005; Carling Cup winner 2006; BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2002.

Rooney scored twice and set up Ronaldo for another goal in Manchester United's 4-1 FA Cup semifinal success to keep Sir Alex Ferguson's side on course for a second Treble.
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And Hornets defender DeMerit would not bet against them repeating their 1999 success with Rooney and Ronaldo in such blistering form.

"Right now they are in the best scoring form of any team in the world," said DeMerit. "You can't stop guys like Rooney and Ronaldo, all you can hope for is to contain them.

"They used to say the same thing about Michael Jordan in the States and they are the same type of players. They will always create opportunities because of the qualities they have. They come at you from all angles and make life very difficult.

"A team with that kind of scoring power, even if they let a goal or two in they seem to want to score more. They are going to be hard to beat over these last few games."

DeMerit, 27, claimed Watford could be proud of their performance at Villa Park. "We can hold our heads high and accept we were beaten on the day by better players," he said. "They beat Roma 7-1 so to lose 4-1 is not such a bad thing. Maybe we're better than Roma."

MU 2 : 0 Sheffield

Ronaldo heads PFA award nominees

Cristiano Ronaldo's ascent from pantomime villain to genuine footballing hero will be complete if - or when - he is crowned Player of the Year by his fellow professionals on Sunday.

PFA Player of the Year Nominees:
Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes (all Manchester United)

Young player nominees:
Kevin Doyle (Reading), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Ronaldo is one of six players nominated for the PFA award. Reflecting Manchester United's marauding season to date, elder statesmen Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are also nominated. Representatives of the other members of the Premiership elite - Chelsea's Didier Drogba, Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas -complete the list.

Ronaldo, who is the outstanding favourite, returned to Old Trafford in July to the displeasure of the nation, fuelled by a rabid media campaign, after he was accused of playing a significant part in the sending-off of Wayne Rooney as England departed the World Cup at the quarter-final stage against Portugal. It looked at one stage as if Ronaldo would be forced to leave the Premiership.

Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the PFA, said: "This season was a big test for him, both of his temperament and his ability to rise above the abuse he received after the incident with Wayne Rooney, and he has passed with flying colours in every department. I was not sure after the World Cup if things would get back to normal at Old Trafford, but Cristiano has shown great maturity and proved himself to be a top, top player."

Much of the credit must go to Sir Alex Ferguson, his manager, who had managed to get Eric Cantona back on track a decade earlier, and who persuaded Ronaldo not only to stay but also to become one of the game's biggest draws. The showboating show pony of the past has transformed into a thoroughbred who can harness his box of tricks within a team ethic.
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"He has still got the tricks," Taylor said, "and, if he was to perform them on the stage at the London Palladium, you would have to stand up and applaud. For him to be able to perform them on a football field, at full speed with everything going on around him, makes it all the more remarkable."

Drogba also came back from Germany last summer with something to prove. He had struggled to impose himself on Premiership defences in his first two seasons at Chelsea, only showing occasional flashes of what was to come. This season, however, he has scored 30 goals to keep Chelsea challenging for Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League honours, as well as winning the Carling Cup in February.

"What I have liked about Didier this season is the way he has committed himself to the Chelsea cause and how he has maintained such excellent form, even when Chelsea have been going through a sticky time," Taylor said.

Like Ronaldo, Fabregas has also been nominated for the Young Player of the Year award alongside Rooney, Kevin Doyle, of Reading, Tottenham's Aaron Lennon and Micah Richards, of Manchester City.

"Fabregas is usually at the heart of every [Arsenal] move," Taylor said. "He is going to be a player for all seasons if he keeps going the way he is."

MU 4 : 1 Watford, reached a record 18th FA Cup Final

United reached a record 18th FA Cup final with a resounding 4-1 victory over Watford at Villa Park on Saturday.

Wayne Rooney capped a brilliant performance by scoring twice – one either side of the break – while Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson also found the net for United.

The win kept Sir Alex's remarkable FA Cup semi final record intact; in eight attempts, United sides under his stewardship have never lost at this stage of the competition.

But it wasn't quite the stroll in the park the final score suggests. Watford were resilient for much of the game and only capitulated once substitute Richardson netted United's fourth with eight minutes to play.....Read more

No Ronaldo doubts

Sir Alex Ferguson never had any doubts that Cristiano Ronaldo would sign a new contract at United – and now the Reds boss says fans can look forward to years more of a player with “the same skill factor as Maradona and Pele."

The 22-year-old has pledged his future to United until 2012 and Sir Alex says Ronaldo is at the right club to continue his astronomical development.

"Without question, Cristiano is getting to the level of best player in the world,” added the United boss. “It is up to others to decide whether he is as good as Maradona and Pele. That is the challenge in front of him now.

"He is one of the best signings I have ever made. The measurement of his improvement this year is astronomical. In terms of top flight football, where do you find a winger who has scored 20 goals. It is incredible.”

Though Sir Alex says he was always sure Ronaldo would put pen to paper on a new deal, the speculation emanating from Spain that Real Madrid and Barcelona are eyeing a move for the Portuguese winger, must surely have been a concern.

“I had no doubts, but I think everyone else did outside Old Trafford,” added the boss. “I was confident about Cristiano signing because he’s happy here, his family are happy here and he’s at the right club.

“What we did was believe that Cristiano is at the right club. He believes that, too. Essentially, there was no reason for him to think about leaving. He’s well liked at the club, there is a
good atmosphere in the dressing room and he is playing in front of 76,000 people every week.”

Sir Alex did, however, deliver stinging criticism of the transfer tactics employed in Spain.

“They keep talking in Spain the way they do and unsettling clubs like ourselves,” he said. “It doesn’t matter to them, I don’t think they have any care for Manchester United or anyone else when they decide to put their net out for the best players in the world. They’ve shown that over the years, they don’t have any regard for how you feel.

“It seems to happen time and time again. There’s no point in reporting it to UEFA or FIFA. It wouldn’t matter to them if you fined them. When it goes on and on, you start looking at the substance to it. It’s a game they play in their election process.

“People perceive Real Madrid as a club of galacticos or whatever it is they call them. It’s a pre-conceived notion about themselves. Barcelona are also a fantastic club, but you can’t say either club is miles in front of Manchester United. I think most people recognise that we are one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

But the indisputable fact is that Ronaldo is a United player, under contract for a further five years. In that time, Sir Alex says the player has no limitations as to how good he can become. “I think he is the best player in the world, I really do,” he said. “He will continue to improve because the measure of his development is astronomical.”

CR signs new deal

Manchester United is delighted to announce that it has agreed terms with Cristiano Ronaldo on a new five-year contract keeping him at the club until at least June 2012.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “It is fantastic news, it emphasises the point that Cristiano is happy here and that he is at the right club.

"He has a great relationship with the team, staff and the fans and he will go on to be one of Manchester United’s great players.”

Cristiano added: “I am delighted. I spoke with Sir Alex and David Gill about my future and everyone knew that I wanted to stay. "I am very happy at the club. I want to win trophies and hopefully we'll do that this season."

Ronaldo: I can do it all at Man Utd

Get Your Rudebox!!
After penning his new five-year contract, Cristiano Ronaldo declared he could achieve everything he wanted at Manchester United.

"I wanted to stay," he told MUTV. "I am at the right club and this is why I signed.

"Everything is okay here. I am happy with my colleagues, my friends and my coaches.

"The supporters have also helped me very much and I am really happy here."

With an impressive 20 goals to his name this term, Ronaldo has been the major driving force behind United's Treble bid.

He scored twice in the midweek Champions League rout of Roma and will tomorrow hope to guide the Red Devils into the FA Cup final at the expense of Premiership basement boys Watford.

Yet, despite the host of accolades coming his way, the youngster admits he still has plenty of improving to do.

"I was only 18 when I came here but everyone at the club has helped me," he said.

"I have learned a lot already but I still have more to learn and I just want to keep going.

"I want to win more trophies here and hopefully, I can do that this season."

Evra & Ferguson : CR as good as Pele and Maradona

CRISTIANO RONALDO can go on to be as big as Maradona and Pele reckons team-mate Patrice Evra after a breathtaking night at Old Trafford. Winger Ronaldo scored twice and starred again alongside the resurgent Alan Smith in Manchester United’s 7-1 humiliation of Roma.

That swept Alex Ferguson’s rampant side into the Champions League semi-finals. And left-back Evra said: “There is no question at this moment, Ronaldo is the best player in the world.

“The great thing about him is, he doesn’t just do it in training but out on the pitch when it matters. He doesn’t do it for himself, he does it for the team and the fans. He is unbelievable. Ronaldo can do the same as Maradona, Pele and George Best. He can be like them.”

There is little doubt the Portuguese star, 22, is heading for an armful of personal awards this term. But Ronaldo said: “It’s always my aim to be regarded among the best players in the league or even the world. But I’m still young and I’m still improving. These awards are not the most valuable thing for me. My focus is on helping my club to be successful.”

Boss : Cris can rival greats

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Cristiano Ronaldo could one day be rated alongside all-time greats Pele and Diego Maradona. Ferguson has tied the Portuguese winger to a new five-year deal at Manchester United and already believes he is fast emerging as the finest player in the world today.

But Ferguson reckons Ronaldo's next challenge should be to establish himself as one of the best players in history."At 22, he has the same skill factor as Maradona and Pele," hailed the Manchester United boss.

"He is one of the best signings I have ever made. The measurement of his improvement this year is astronomical. In terms of top flight football, where do you find a winger who has scored 20 goals? It is incredible."

"Without question, Cristiano is getting to the level of best player in the world. Thereafter, it is up to others to decide whether he is as good as Maradona and Pele. That is the challenge in front of him now."

Ronaldo angered many English fans at the World Cup last summer and has been jeered by opposing fans throughout this season, but Ferguson believes he thrives on the pressure. Ferguson nevertheless felt it necessary to have a chat with Ronaldo before the season started about what the campaign might hold in store for him.

"We had dinner with him in Portugal and stressed this had happened before to David Beckham," he revealed. "There is nothing wrong with booing, we get booed at most places, but he had the nerve to handle it. "He still gets a bit of it but that is only because he is a great player."

Evra : Ronaldo talent just a joke

Patrice Evra has hailed Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo as being so talented 'it's a joke'. "Nobody can stop him," laughed the France full-back. "Probably the only way to do it is to kill him.

"I have never seen anyone like him before in my life. When he runs at you, you try to grab his shirt or do whatever you can. But he just goes past you, makes fun out of you and leaves you kicking the air.

"I see him every day in training. I watch what he can do and I think 'Cristiano, no. It is a joke'."

Evra claims Ronaldo is only getting his just reward for his insatiable appetite for hard work. The many crowd-pleasing tricks he produces are, it appears, rehearsed and rehearsed and rehearsed.

"He does them all the time," said the 25-year-old Senegal-born star. Even when he is sitting on a bike Cristiano is doing tricks. He eats with the ball, he watches TV with the ball. He probably even sleeps with the ball. I am not surprised at what he does. You should see how hard he works in training."

"He is very professional, always the first one in and the last one out. We all have a lot of confidence in him. Sometimes, you just give him the ball because you know the defenders are scared of him. I am very happy to have him on my team because, for me, he is the best player in the world."

Cris : Unbelievable

...I don't care
who we face for the next game.
We must only think about ourselves
because we have shown thatwe do not fear anyone....

Cristiano Ronaldo, the man who wrote yet another chapter in the history books of football, was delighted with Manchester United's sublime display. The Portuguese chipped in with a couple of goals - and a number of moves that laft the Roma defence in tatters - as the Red Devils ran out 7-1 winners.

"Every player is very confident," said Ronaldo. "They have a lot of belief in themselves. We lost in Rome but everyone still believed we would get through."

"It is an unbelievable result. To win 7-1 against Roma in a quarter-final is just great. It is amazing for the players and the club, but now we need to think about the semi-final."

Manchester United are still in line for a repeat of the historic treble of 1999, with two semi-finals lined up, and a three point lead in the Premiership.

Ronaldo had no preferences over which team United face in the semi-finals: "I really have no preference for who we get now. This is the Champions League. It will be tough game no matter who we play next."

MU 7 : 1 Roma

Get Your Rudebox!!

United blasted their way through to the Champions League semi-finals with a remarkable seven goals that left Roma in ruins and the rest of Europe in awe.

Michael Carrick (2), Cristiano Ronaldo (2), Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra were the men on the scoresheet but all fourteen players who took part deserve a share of the abundant praise after a performance that will be remembered long after they've hung up their talented boots - regardless of whether this leads to glory in Athens or not.....Read more

Show the magic

"Ronaldo is by far the best player in the world at the moment. Hopefully he can work some of his magic against Roma and get us into the semi finals."
- Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are often spoken of in the same breath at Old Trafford, but the Englishman says his Portuguse team-mate is the one who can conjure the magic to fire United into the Champions League semi finals.

United take on Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday and, thanks to Rooney’s sublime intervention after an hour at Stadio Olimpico a week ago, the Reds are well placed with an away goal despite being 2-1 down in the tie.

Rooney and Ronaldo were part of the United side that lost to AC Milan two years ago in a game that was seen as a watershed in their development on the European stage. Now Rooney says the pair are more mature and ready to lead the Reds into the last four of the competition.

“Against AC Milan a few years ago, myself, Cristiano and a few of the other players were still quite young,” says the 21-year-old striker. “Playing against the likes of Maldini and Nesta gives you a platform to learn from.

“Since then we’ve both improved as players. We’ve matured a lot. Cristiano is winning games on his own this season, he’s been unbelievable. At the moment he is by far the best player in the world, and hopefully he can work some of his magic against Roma and get us into the semi finals.”

It is typical of Rooney to play down his own importance, but his goal could be the telling turn in the tale of the battle against Roma. Down to ten men following Paul Scholes’ sending off for a series of late fouls, Rooney calmly chested down Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s cross before lashing the ball home on the volley. The goal could prove vital.

“I hope it can,” he says. “I’ll tell you after the game. But it’s going to be a difficult match. After going down to ten men in Rome, we had to try and stay in the tie. So, to get the away goal was important for us, hopefully we can make it count.”

As if he needed reminded, it was his first goal in the Champions League proper since scoring that sensational hat-trick against Fenerbahce on his United debut in September 2004.

“I’ve had chances,” he freely admits. “There have been times when I should have scored and times where the keeper has made a good save. It was really good to get the goal because there was a lot of talk about me not scoring for a while in the Champions League. Hopefully now that will stop and I can concentrate on trying to get more goals in Europe.”

Rooney is all too aware that, in the absence of United’s main striker Louis Saha through injury, he can ill afford to go on a similar run before he finds the net in Europe again.

“We’ll have to take our chances,” he adds. “We need a good performance because Roma are a good team and they pass the ball really well. At times it’s difficult to get the ball back off them, so we have to be ready and focused. In the quarter finals of the Champions League you’re not going to play badly and go through. But, with the players and the speed we have got, especially at Old Trafford, we know we can cause Roma problems.

“It’s also important that the reaction from the weekend is positive. We have to go into the game and play the way we have played all season. We’ve played well all season and we don’t want to let ourselves down now by losing one game and going out of the tournament. We want to go further in the competition.”

Becks : Should stay !

Former England captain David Beckham has advised Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester United for the good of his career.

The Portugal winger has been linked with both Real Madrid - Beckham's club until the end of the season when he will move to Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy - and Barcelona in recent months.

After last summer's World Cup Ronaldo was heavily criticised for the part he played in getting United team-mate Wayne Rooney sent off during England's quarter-final defeat against Portugal.

But Beckham, who received similar treatment after his sending-off at the 1998 World Cup, believes Ronaldo should stay at Old Trafford under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He is at the right club. He is being looked after by a manager who knows how to look after someone who has been through what he has," he said.

"I may not have got through the things I did without the United manager, the players and the fans.

"I owe them everything."

MU 1 : 2 Portsmouth

United slipped to their first Premiership defeat in eight games as Matthew Taylor’s strike and a Rio Ferdinand own-goal sealed victory for Portsmouth at Fratton Park. An off-colour first-half display from Sir Alex Ferguson’s side proved costly as the Reds could only muster a consolation goal John O'Shea in a dominant display after the interval.

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James was in inspired form for the hosts, making outstanding stops from Darren Fletcher, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Alan Smith.... Read more

Boateng punished after Ronaldo jibe

Middlesbrough skipper George Boateng has been disciplined by his club after warning Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo his antics could earn him reprisals.

The furious Dutchman hit out in the wake of Boro's FA Cup quarter-final replay defeat at Old Trafford in which the Portugal international, for the second time this season, won his side a controversial penalty against the North-East club.

Young midfielder James Morrison was sent off for lashing out at the United star late in the game and Boateng later said of Ronaldo's trickery: "One day, someone will hurt him properly." Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson was angry the Teessiders' captain had not been hauled before the Football Association to explain his comments.

However, Boro counterpart Gareth Southgate yesterday revealed he had not let the matter pass, although he did not go into detail. He said: "I do not think the comments George made were correct and we have dealt with that.

MU 1 : 2 Roma

United returned from Rome with mixed feelings after losing the match and losing Paul Scholes for the second leg - but scoring a vital away goal.

The Reds had looked like holding on until half-time after Scholes was given his marching orders in the 34th minute but then Brazilian midfielder Taddei's shot, deflected off Wes Brown, beat Edwin van der Sar to put Roma 1-0 up......Read more