C.Ronaldo : I'll show them

CRISTIANO RONALDO has vowed to take revenge on Benfica supporters tonight and prove he has the mental strength to cope with their torrent of abuse.He was mercilessly taunted by home fans at the Stadium of Light last year when Manchester United lost 2-1 and crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage.

The Portugal winger reacted with a one-fingered gesture, earning a one-game ban. He said: "I know how much this competition means to United, so I want to make sure I win the European Cup for them."

The 21-year-old has already proved his toughness in the Premiership by defying the jeers with superb displays - and aims to do the same in Lisbon. "I want to show them how much this club means to me and how much the fans mean to me," he added.

He can expect another tough night in front of a Benfica crowd who targeted him because he played for their hated rivals, Sporting Lisbon.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, impressed by the way Ronaldo conducted himself in England amid the backlash from Wayne Rooney's World Cup red card, was unconcerned. He said: "I haven't spoken to Ronaldo, I don't need to." "He's intelligent, he's growing up terrifically."

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