Goal

A hat-trick from Wayne Rooney and a Cristiano Ronaldo strike gave United an impressive victory at high-flying Bolton Wanderers and sent Sir Alex Ferguson's side back to the top of the Premiership.

C.Ronaldo back to face Bolton

Ronaldo back to face Bolton Cristiano Ronaldo is available for United's trip to Bolton having recovered from the illness that prevented him starting against Liverpool last weekend.

The Portuguese winger was only deemed fit enough for a place on the bench because of a flu bug, however, after a week's rest he is ready to make his return against the Trotters on Saturday. "Ronaldo is back," revealed the United boss at his pre-match press briefing which you can see in full on MUTV Online later this afternoon. "Everyone is fit [apart from Ji-sung Park], but none of the players who played on Wednesday at Crewe will play."I'll be relying on the ones who played last Sunday against Liverpool."

The Reds have not lost at Bolton since 1978 and left the Reebok with a 2-1 win last time out. Sir Alex is hoping for a repeat result on Saturday, but fully expects Sam Allardyce's men to put up a brave fight. "It'll be a tough game," he insisted. "Bolton haven't lost a goal at home this season which is a fantastic record. It reflects the great job that Sam continually does there.

Ferguson : Cristiano can better than Ronaldinho

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Cristiano Ronaldo can be the greatest player in the world. Fergie said: "Carlos [Queiroz] said a few weeks ago that Cristiano can become the best player in the world - and I actually agree.

"He has everything and he is learning the game now - when to pass, when to hold. The variety of his game has changed and it's quite remarkable. It's something we've been working on with the boy and all of a sudden he is grasping all the things we've been saying and that's very encouraging."

"He has scored something like 16 goals in 40-odd games for Portugal. At 21 years of age that's some record, especially as he is a wide player. That's an amazing statistic and it gives you an indication of where the boy is going. "In terms of players who can attack and defend at speed, there is no one like Ronaldo in the world game. No-one comes anywhere near him.

"There are some central midfield players like Kaka and Ronaldinho who will attack from central areas very well. They are world-class players, and Ronaldo is certainly in that bracket now."

2R are ZZ top

LOUIS SAHA says that having Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United is like playing alongside Zinedine Zidane on speed.

"They can do everything that Zidane can do - but they do it so much quicker," said Saha of the two men who each have their sights on emulating the legendary 'ZZ' by becoming the world's greatest footballer.

Saha, a former France team-mate of Zidane, admits he is often left breathless by the skill of his two Old Trafford attack partners - and by the sheer pace at which they operate. "It is just amazing to be playing in the same team as Wayne and Cristiano," he added. "The way they play is a dream. And as a striker you are always going to get a lot of opportunities to score because of them.

"It is like playing with two Zidanes. Yet everything is also done at great speed and defenders find it very difficult to cope with them together. "It is good to have just one player with that kind of ability. To have two who can open teams up in a second is amazing. "And they both have mental strength to cope whenever things go wrong."

Ronnie in the mood

Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to knock Liverpool out of the Premiership title race. Leaders Manchester United face their 11th-placed rivals at Old Trafford on Sunday and Ronaldo said: "We can put an even bigger gap between us and Liverpool in the title race. Liverpool is such a massive game for us. It is always a fantastic game for both the players and the supporters.

"In a game between such big rivals you never really know what the outcome is going to be. But we all know that Sunday’s game is extra special this time, not just because of the rivalry between the clubs." Ronaldo also believes his football has made supporters forget his World Cup antics.

"I'm winning battle with boo-boys"

Cristiano Ronaldo believes he is winning over England fans who were determined to hate him for his part in Wayne Rooney's sending off at the World Cup.

He was so concerned about the possible backlash, even at his own club Manchester United where Rooney is a favourite, that the winger moved to a remote part of Cheshire.
But he is convinced antagonism towards him has died down at Old Trafford and even beyond.

He said: "People are always saying that if you boo Ronaldo he will only play better. Maybe that is right. When I go on the pitch my concentration is 100 per cent on the game and on what I'm doing. I don't care if people have a go at me. But I have to say that people don't do it so much now and that makes me feel good."

"I've quietened them down a little bit. I've worked hard on my game and I think people are now starting to appreciate me for the player I am rather than concentrating on other things."

Ronaldo may find that appreciation a little hard to come by from Liverpool fans in the Premiership clash at Old Trafford on Sunday but his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, believes he is winning his battle on and off the pitch. Ferguson said: "I know that English football is very tribal and everyone wants their team to do well."

"But there's one common denominator - they're all passionate about the game and recognise a great player, which is what is happened with Ronaldo. Although they set out to boo him, they're sat there with their legs and fingers crossed hoping nothing happens to embarrass them. At Charlton I was sat in the directors' box and this guy was going berserk even when Ronaldo didn't have the ball. He was up shouting then, all of a sudden, Ronaldo hits the bar and the guy sat down for 10 minutes thinking it's not worth it. He had realised that he can hurt you with his ability."

C.Ronaldo sets his sight high

Cristiano Ronaldo is dreaming of winning major honours with Manchester United. For long stretches of the summer, it appeared the Portugal winger would not even be at Old Trafford, let alone helping the Red Devils win trophies.

Vilified for his part in England's World Cup downfall and his head turned by the possibility of a lucrative offer from Real Madrid, Ronaldo seemed certain to quit the hurly-burly of Premiership life. The lure of sunnier climes in Spain or Italy must remain an enticing prospect for a 21-year-old brought up on the holiday island of Madeira.

Yet for now, judging not just by his stellar performances on the pitch this season but also his wholehearted effort on the training ground and his relationship with Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo is totally committed to the United cause.

Although he may already have FA Cup and Carling Cup winners' medals to show for his time at Old Trafford, Ronaldo believes it is time to grab one of the really big prizes. "This is a great time for me," he said. "The team are playing well and I am really happy here. Now, my dream is to win the Premiership and Champions League with United. I have won other competitions but they are the trophies I really want. I know it will be difficult but we are a good side and if we continue to work hard, anything is possible."

For one of the few times this season, Ronaldo was overshadowed by Rooney in last night's three-goal triumph over FC Copenhagen. Largely, the winger has been the Red Devils stand-out performer, a quite remarkable achievement given the sustained abuse he received from opposition fans in the opening weeks of the campaign.

Sir Alex Ferguson, having refused to be swept along by all the talk of Ronaldo's prospective departure, could not have asked for a better response from the youngster, who admits the negative reaction from the stands has no impact on him whatsoever.

"I don't care about the booing," he said. "At the moment, everything is fine. We have made a very good start to the Premiership and the Champions League and we just want to keep it going. That is all I care about."

Although still capable of the most outrageous skill - he controlled one far-post cross in the second half last night, then started juggling the ball before it got anywhere near the ground - Ronaldo finally seems to be striking the right balance between exhibition and effectiveness.

Both Ferguson and assistant Carlos Queiroz have suggested he could eventually go on to become the best player in the world. Two-footed, lightning quick, tall, strong and good in the air, Ronaldo certainly has all the attributes required.

With a European Championship final and a World Cup semi-final under his belt, Ronaldo already has more on his CV than Rooney and the youngster feels he is also benefiting from added maturity this season.

"I have changed a few things about my game but I am also more experienced and more mature," he said, having also gained an excellent command of the English language. "But I also feel the team is more compact. Training has been really good, which is one of the major differences from last year and everyone is ecstatic."

Ecstatic is certainly a sentiment that could be used for Ferguson's mood after three successive European wins have helped banish the nightmare of last season. Although the United boss put that particular failure down to the relative inexperience of an injury-ravaged squad, the Scot's argument does not stand up to intense scrutiny and he was acutely aware any repeat would undermine his own position, 20th anniversary celebrations pending or not.

Instead, the Red Devils are now in the happy position of knowing a point from the return clash with Copenhagen in the Danish capital on November 1 will ease them into the last 16 with two games to spare.

"We created a few chances we should have taken last night but overall, the result spoke for itself," said Ronaldo. "It means if we win the next game, we are into the second round, which is what we all wanted at the start of the season.

"We didn't do very well in the Champions League last year. We all remember that and we didn't want to suffer the same experience again."

C.Ronaldo up for top European prize

Five England players have been shortlisted for the prestigious European Footballer of the Year award.

England captain John Terry and team-mates Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole are in the running for the Ballon d'or. Seventeen of the 50 nominations play in the Premiership including Chelsea stars Terry, Lampard, Cole, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Claude Makelele and Andriy Shevchenko.

Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas, Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry represent beaten Champions League finalists Arsenal, while Cristiano Ronaldo joins Rooney as Manchester United's only other nominee.

Everton and Australia midfielder Tim Cahill has also been shortlisted for the prestigious award along with retired former France captain Zinedine Zidane. The winner will be revealed on November 27.Last year Barcelona's brilliant Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho was crowned European Footballer of the Year.

United 3-0 Copenhagen

Manchester United made it three out of three as they swept to a 3-0 Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford.The Red Devils are firmly in control of Group F after taking nine points from three games - but keeper Jesper Christiansen had performed heroics to keep them at bay until the 39th minute.

The visiting stopper pulled off stunning first-half saves to twice deny Louis Saha following glorious set-up play by Wayne Rooney, who himself sidefooted wide with the goal at his mercy, and keep out Michael Carrick's 20-yard piledriver on 35 minutes.

His heroics meant the Danes were a threat on the break, and Edwin van der Sar had to be on his toes to block Marcus Allback's excellent snap-shot and Michael Silberbauer's rising 25-yard drive. But he was finally beaten in style six minutes before the break, when Patrice Evra and Saha combined to set up Scholes, who drilled a 20-yard strike into the back of the net.

Christiansen clawed away Cristiano Ronaldo's header on 45 to keep the score at 1-0 - but after Rooney was denied a tap-in on the goalline by a headed clearance, United's lead was doubled a minute after the interval when John O'Shea clipped the Portuguese winger's corner into the net.

The second goal allowed the hosts to slip into cruise control - but Scholes was denied a penalty before Sir Alex Ferguson sent on Alan Smith and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for Saha and Carrick. The subs combined well on 76 minutes to create a clear chance, but Smith sidefooted Solskjaer's cross wide of the target from six yards.

Kieran Richardson also came off the bench - and he put the icing on the cake for United when his fierce left-footed 20-yard shot was fumbled by the previously impressive Christiansen to make it 3-0.

Ronaldo racing to be fit

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gary Neville, who both missed Saturday's win over Wigan, are racing to be fit for United's Champions League match against Copenhagen on Tuesday. Ronaldo is recovering from an ankle injury sustained on international duty with Portugal, while skipper Neville (calf) trained on Monday and is rated as a possibility for the match.

"Cristiano Ronaldo hopefully should be OK and Gary Neville is a possibility," Sir Alex said at United's pre-match press conference. "We're not 100 per cent certain Ronaldo will be fit for Tuesday, but he has improved from the weekend.

"He's put a lot of work into his rehabilitation. He spent five hours in the swimming pool working on the flexibility of his ankle, so he's making a big effort to be there." Even if the Portuguese winger does not win his race for fitness, Sir Alex has no qualms that Darren Fletcher, also back from injury, or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who played on the right against Wigan, can offer something different from the right flank.

"After Ole's performance on Saturday, I'd be happy to stick with him," he said. "I also have Darren Fletcher who can play there, and he's had a fantastic season."
United defenders Gabriel Heinze (hamstring) and Mikael Silvestre (foot) are both still out, although Gaby is in training this week and could play against Liverpool on Sunday. "Gaby won't make Tuesday's match," he added. "He's possibly looking at the Liverpool game. He did much better in training on Monday, but he's definitely out of the Copenhagen match."
The return of Ronaldo and Neville is important as Sir Alex hopes his team can record back-to-back wins over the Danes in order to guarantee United's place in the knockout phase.

"If we win our next two games home and away against Copenhagen, we'll be in a great position," he said. "But you have to repsect teams. We will do that. Having watched videos of Copenhagen's two games against Benfica and Celtic, we know they have good qualities. It won't be easy but our form is good and we have a real goal threat about us. In the second half against Wigan we could have scored a few more goals.

"Going into a European game I couldn't really ask for any more. I'd like every player in the club to be fit but that doesn't happen in modern football. We've had to deal with injuries, but I think we'll have a side strong enough to win the match."

Fans now LOVE Ronaldo

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced Cristiano Ronaldo has won over the Premiership boo-boys.

United boss Fergie said: "I know English football is very tribal and everyone wants their team to do well but there is one common denominator - they are all passionate about the game and they recognise a great player and that has what has happened with Cristiano.

"Although they set out to boo him, they are sat there with their legs and fingers crossed hoping nothing happens to embarrass them. At Charlton I was sat in the directors' box and this guy was going berserk even when Cristiano didn't have the ball. He was up shouting then, all of a sudden, Ronaldo hits the bar and the guy sat down for 10 minutes thinking it's not worth it because he can hurt you with his ability."

Ferguson, whose side can take a massive step towards qualification to the Champions League knockout stage if they beat FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford on Tuesday, also insists Ronaldo is a better player because he has cut out the elaborate footwork and has listened to advice.

"I'm with my assistant, Carlos Queiroz, in believing Cristiano can become the best player in the world. He has got everything and he is learning the game of football now - when to pass and when to hold.

"The variety of his game has changed. It's quite remarkable because that's something we have been working on with the boy all the time and all of a sudden he is grasping all the things we are saying, and that's very encouraging.

"He's scored 16 goals in 40 games for Portugal and at 21 years of age that's some record for a wide player. It's quite amazing and it just gives you an indication of where the boy is going. "For me in terms of players who can attack defenders at speed, there is no-one like Ronaldo in the world game."

Best in the world

Ferguson tells Ronaldo what he can acheive.

"There is no doubt Cristiano can become the best player in the world. He has everything really and in terms of players who can attack defenders at speed, no-one in Europe comes close."

"There are some central midfield players like Kaka and Ronaldinho, who can attack from central areas and are very good at it. But they are world-class players anyway."

"Ronaldo is in that bracket now. He runs with the ball at such incredible speed it is not easy for defenders to handle him and his record for Portugal shows you exactly where he is going."

"He is learning the game of football now, when to pass and when to hold. The whole variety of his game has changed. It is quite remarkable because it is something we have been working on with the boy all the time and, all of a sudden, he seems to be able to grasp all the things we have been saying. That is very encouraging."

"In fairness, referees are starting to recognise because, running at the speed Cristiano does, it only takes half a bodycheck for him to lose his balance."

"I know English football is very tribal and everyone wants their team to do well but there is one common denominator - they are all passionate about the game and they recognise a great player and that has what has happened with Cristiano."

"Although they set out to boo him, they are sat there with their legs and fingers crossed hoping nothing happens to embarrass them. At Charlton I was sat in the directors' box and this guy was going berserk even when Cristiano didn't have the ball. He was up shouting then, all of a sudden, Ronaldo hits the bar and the guy sat down for 10 minutes thinking it's not worth it because he can hurt you with his ability."

Smashes TV sets to relieve stress

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Manchester United wing ace Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he smashes up TV sets to relieve stress.

Ronaldo told the Mirror: "When I was mad once I put a television set up in a tree in my garden and tried to knock it down by kicking a football at it. And it worked! I was mad, really p***** off.

"I play football in my garden, like loads of guys do. I even broke a window once when we were playing outside. I made a pass to my cousin Nuno but the ball hit the glass and broke it. I also have boxing gloves to hit something or someone to relieve stress. And I like to play the Jambe - bongo drums - because it feels good."

In the Portuguese TV interview Ronaldo also revealed that he hides himself away at his luxurious mansion when he plays badly or when United have suffered a defeat - just as they did three weeks ago when he lost the ball which led to Arsenal's winner in their 1-0 triumph at Old Trafford.

"Sometimes when I perform badly or when things don't go the way I want them to, I come straight home," he said. "I eat something, follow the stairs, turn left, enter the small bedroom and lock the door. I just stay there."

Exclusive Premiership's No.1

CRISTIANO RONALDO EXCLUSIVE THE PREMIERSHIP'S NO.1 PLAYER
Ronaldo's hit post or bar 47 TIMES in three years at United.

IS Cristiano Ronaldo the unluckiest attacking player in the Premiership? In his three years at Manchester United, the Portuguese winger has hit the woodwork 47 times - 31 times against the crossbar and denied by a post on 16 occasions.

Ronaldo, who scored twice for Portugal during the international break, and had another spectacular goal disallowed even though it crossed the line, has so far scored 30 goals for United in 145 games since joining from Sporting Lisbon for £12.24million in July 2003.

Kick me if you can

CRISTIANO RONALDO has vowed to keep making fun of the Premiership's defenders - and carry on giving them nightmares.

While Wayne Rooney continues to struggle with form and temperament following his alleged V-sign to England fans in Croatia, Ronaldo aims to build on his breathtaking start to the season.Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed as "unbelievable" the Portuguese winger's contribution to the Premiership leaders and right now Ronaldo is unquestionably playing the best football of his brief but illustrious career.

Ronaldo, who is expected to recover from an ankle injury and return to domestic action in this afternoon's trip to Wigan, has warned his fearful opponents that there will be no let-up in his dazzling array of tricks.

"Some players say to me 'stop making fun of me or I'll kick you out of the game'," says Ronaldo in a Portuguese TV interview. "I remember being in a game for United and one player said that if I was going to start with my things he would sort me out."So I said sarcastically to him 'I'm so scared. You can try and take me if you want. I don't have a problem with that at all. Good luck'."

Back in June it was inconceivable that Ronaldo would become United's most important player this season, after he was vilified for his role in Rooney's sending-off in the World Cup quarter-final between England and Portugal.Castigated as Public Enemy No.1 there were serious doubts Ronaldo would even return to United after the World Cup, with Real Madrid and Valencia offering him an escape route from the brutal abuse awaiting him in England.

Ronaldo has been booed by opposing fans throughout the season but has had the last laugh on his detractors by producing the most scintillating football of his career. He has thrived on adversity.Now in his fourth season at United, Ronaldo reflected on how much he has matured as a player and as a person since he arrived at United as an unknown in July 2003 with the pimpled complexion of an adolescent and sporting braces on his buck teeth. And he paid tribute to the way his family and late father helped him come to terms with living away from home and cope with the vitriolic fall-out from the World Cup episode with Rooney.

"I was 18 when I first arrived in Manchester," said Ronaldo."I was skinnier, smaller and I had braces on my teeth. Since then I have evolved, grown up, gained weight, lost the braces and gone through changes year after year."It's so important for a player to have his head in the right place. If you don't it becomes difficult to do the things you know. Already in my career I've passed some very bad situations. But that happens to everybody."

"Family is the most important support I have. If you don't have a good relationship with your family everything is more difficult. My father was No.1 in my life. He is always in my heart. I have a picture of him in my house which I put up in a high position so I know he is always watching over me. He helped me a lot."The one thing I dislike is being alone. Sometimes my mother stays with me, other times my sister or friends. I never like to be alone."

Despite the trappings of a millionaire footballer's lifestyle, including the expensive cars, diamond studs in each ear and a highprofile girlfriend in Portuguese TV presenter Merche Romero, Ronaldo wants to be known for his football.

"I'm very happy to know people are talking about me for my work, not my personal life," said Ronaldo. "We live in a world where people like to gossip but I don't pay attention to that."I like to hear what people have to say about my football, what they think of me as a player for my team. That's what matters."Sometimes I reflect on the things that are happening in my career, for United and for the national team. There is a lot of responsibility on me but I think I take life in a tranquil way."

Dismissed as a one-trick pony when he arrived because of his propensity for too many step-overs, and criticised for his theatrical dives, Ronaldo has blended trickery and application to emerge as a player of real substance.

C.Ronaldo got injure

Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United's best player this season, has returned to Old Trafford injured after representing Portugal but Sir Alex Ferguson is refusing to jump on the anti-internationals bandwagon.

A number of Ferguson's peers, most notably Arsenal's Arsene Wenger, have strongly criticised the fact that players are being poorly treated by their countries.

Ashley Cole hobbled his way through the closing stages of England's defeat in Croatia, presumably much to Chelsea's chagrin, and there are clamours for more compensation with Atletico Madrid hoping for a pay-out in response to Maxi Rodriguez's serious injury with Argentina.

Ronaldo played through the pain barrier in Portugal's defeat in Poland but Ferguson accepts it is a fact of footballing life.

"Ronaldo got an ankle knock in the second half," he revealed. "He's getting treatment today to give him a chance if we possibly can [of playing against Wigan]. He kept on for more than 30 minutes with the ankle injury, although maybe it's not serious, he's played with it and it's created a bit of swelling, which we have to deal with."

Reds duo up for FIFA award

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney have both been nominated for FIFA's World Player of the year award.

The United youngsters are among 12 Premiership players on the 30-man list for the prize, which will be awarded in Zurich on 18 December after the head coaches and captains of all national teams cast their votes.

Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and Arsenal's French striker Thierry Henry, a losing finalist in Germany and in the Champions League for his club, are the favourites to claim the crown from last year's winner, Barcelona's Ronaldinho.

FIFA World Player of the Year shortlist:
Adriano (Inter Milan, Brazil),
Michael Ballack (Chelsea, Germany),
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy),
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid, Italy),
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Portugal),
Petr Cech (Chelsea, Czech Republic),
Deco (Barcelona, Portugal),
Didier Drogba (Chelsea, Ivory Coast),
Michael Essien (Chelsea, Ghana),
Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona, Cameroon),
Luis Figo (Inter Milan, Portugal),
Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan, Italy),
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool, England),
Thierry Henry (Arsenal, France),
Kaka (AC Milan, Brazil),
Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen, Germany),
Philippe Lahm (Bayern Munich, Germany),
Frank Lampard (Chelsea, England),
Jens Lehmann (Arsenal, Germany),
Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan, Italy),
Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan, Italy),
Franck Ribery (Marseille, France),
Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal, Argentina),
Ronaldinho (Barcelona, Brazil),
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United, England),
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal, Czech Republic),
Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea, Ukraine),
Lilian Thuram (Barcelona, France),
Patrick Vieira (Inter Milan, France),
Zinedine Zidane (retired, France).

Portugal 1 : 2 Poland

Portugal’s Brazilian World Cup winning tactician Luiz Felipe Scolari went straight to the point in the wake of the 2-1 defeat by Beenhakker’s Poland, stressing that now the ‘Selecção das Quinas’ would have to recuperate the lost points due to infantile mistakes.

"We make schoolboy errors which don’t usually happen. We didn’t get the ball moving fast, we were slow in both marking and coverage and these things made life a lot easier for Poland", began the Brazilian.

"Poland, on the other hand, showed remarkable efficiency as their two first shots both went in. They took full advantage of our errors, nothing really turned out well and sometimes it seemed that we were bumping into each other on the pitch”, he added.

Luiz Felipe Scolari also had warm words for the rivals, and Leo Beenhakker’s squad impressed Felipão with their strength. “Poland played an excellent match. Their players had a great attitude and real stamina. It was an attractive performance by the Polish players.”

The Coach also highlighted that “We need to recover in the next few games. We didn’t come back from the two matches with the four points I’d said that we should aim for. Now we have to run after the lost points and repair the damage fast or things could get tough.”

Ronaldo In Tribute Song To Dead Dad

Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo seems to have a sensitive side after all. The Manchester United player, who was England's public enemy No 1 over the summer, is said to be writing a tribute song about his father who died last year.

Ronaldo, 21, made headlines during the World Cup when he got England's Wayne Rooney sent-off in the quarter-finals and then winked at his own team-mates. The player, who will be penning the song with the help of his brother Hugo and sister Elma, dedicated a goal to their dad Dinis Aveiro, 51, during the tournament.

The record, which could make it into the UK charts, will be sung by his other sister Katie, who performs under the name Ronalda. She has already released two albums in her native Portugal.

Speaking about his father passing away, Ronaldo said: "The death of my father influenced everything." "I knew the pain would pass and that the most important thing was for me to continue with my work." Dinis died hours before Ronaldo played a World Cup qualifier against Russia.

Katie, 27, told The Sun: "I have to prove I can sing and that I'm not just Ronaldo's sister. The public adore me for myself, not because of my brother."

Ronaldo aims to impress again

Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping to repeat his match-winning performance against Azerbaijan when Portugal meet Poland in Group A on Wednesday.The Manchester United winger scored twice in his country's 3-0 win at the weekend, but he is aware that Poland will present a formidable test.

"I want to give a similar showing or even improve still because I can always improve things," he said. "With Poland, it will be completely different because they have a better team [to Azerbaijan], with stronger players who are more experienced and play in better championships.

"Hence, things will be more difficult. We must do everything to win, knowing beforehand that Poland have a great team so we go there with much caution and a lot of respect, but always with the will to win."

C.Ronaldo : We are going to win

Portugal will be going out to make it two Euro 2008 qualifying wins out of two against Poland on Wednesday, said Manchester United's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said last week he would be pleased with a win and a draw from their first two matches, against Azerbaijan and Poland. However Ronaldo said the players will not be satisfied with a share of the points.

"Me and the team are going out there to win," said Ronaldo, who scored twice during Portugal's 3-0 victory at home over Azerbaijan on Saturday. "What Scolari meant was that if we aren't able to win, we should get at least one point. "It's obvious that we are going to play to win, even if we know beforehand that Poland has a great team. The probabilities of a win are 50 percent for each side."

Poland has earned only four points from three qualifying matches so far, but Ronaldo believes they remain a tough side. Ronaldo added: "Poland has more experienced and stronger players, athletes who play in more competitive leagues. We're going to have to work hard to achieve a victory."

Portugal, who finished fourth at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, climbed to third place in the group following their win over Azerbaijan while Poland occupy fifth place. Poland's 1-0 away win over Kazakhstan on Saturday followed a 3-1 home defeat to Finland and a 1-1 draw with Serbia. Group A also features Armenia, Belgium, and Serbia, who top the group with two wins and a draw ahead of Finland.

Ronaldo rampant for Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Portugal to their first victory of the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign with a 3-0 win against Azerbaijan in Porto.

Confidence
The Manchester United FC winger has been in electric form this season and dazzled the Group A minnows, underlined by two well-taken goals. Ronaldo struck in either half, with an effort in between from Ricardo Carvalho wrapping up a fine night's work by the hosts. Portugal now have four points from two matches and will have every confidence of more success in Poland on Wednesday.

Fine assist
Deco was the game's key figure early on, having two good chances himself before setting up Ronaldo for the opener. In the 19th minute the playmaker met Luis Miguel's cross but headed straight at visiting keeper Farkhad Veliyev, before failing to draw a save with a 20-metre shot two minutes later. Four minutes later he was more effective, playing in Ronaldo from the right and allowing him to convert with a clinical left-foot finish.

Crucial second
Then, just moments after the restart, Ronaldo nearly made it two when he rattled the crossbar from a central position. Ricardo Carvalho doubled the advantage soon after when the visitors failed to clear their lines in the aftermath of a Ronaldo free-kick, enabling the tall centre-half to hammer in from inside the area.

Counterattacks
The Azeris mustered just one first-half counterattack, Zaur Gashimov firing wide of the left-hand post with his 33rd-minute attempt. At the other end, Nuno Gomes, Maniche and Ronaldo all peppered Veliyev with shots. Leandro Gomes and Aslan Kerimov spurned presentable opportunities for the away team after the interval and Andre Ladaga also blazed high over the crossbar after 54 minutes.

Clinical
Portugal were rather more clinical and Ronaldo registered his second in the 63rd minute when he nodded in Simão's teasing cross from close range. Ronaldo was withdrawn in the 73rd minute with the points assured and Luiz Felipe Scolari's side could not find as high a tempo without him. Azerbaijan will hope for better when they make the trip to Brussels to face Belgium in four days' time.

Celebration lunch

Manchester United soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo ate at Portugese restaurant Luso yesterday afternoon in Manchester. A little celebration lunch perhaps after his starring role in United’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle on Sunday

Ronaldo on path to greatness

Sir Alex Ferguson says Cristiano Ronaldo’s exceptional recent form is one more step along the road to greatness, but he has urged the 21-year-old to keeping working hard to fulfil his potential.

Ronaldo is currently with the Portugal squad as they continue their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. And Sir Alex believes the national team will see a more mature player in their ranks for the matches against Azerbaijan and Poland.

"I’ve seen a change in him this season,” said the Reds boss. “It's difficult to say whether what happened to him in the summer [at the World Cup] was a defining moment for the lad. But he’s probably been our best player so far this season.”

Ronaldo has terrorised Premiership defences this season, to the point that opposition manages can only off sympathy to their full backs for being unable to cope with his rampaging runs and mesmerising trickery. However, the level of his performances are of no surprise to Sir Alex.

"I always expected him to be a great player,” the Reds boss added. “I said that from the first time I had him in a training session. I could always see that greatness lay ahead of him.

"But he's got to keep working hard, he's got to keep practicing which he does do and he's got to improve his understanding of the game which he is doing."

Newcastle boss : Hard to stop Ronaldo

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder admitted his side faced an almost impossible task trying to subdue Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford.

Although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer netted both goals in a 2-0 Manchester United triumph which sent them soaring back to the Barclays Premiership summit, Ronaldo was the Magpies' tormentor in chief.

Three times the Portugal winger struck the woodwork, while three Newcastle players were booked attempting to stop him. And, after watching Ronaldo's latest masterclass, Roeder is pleased he does not have the problem of stopping him.

"Everyone, and I mean everyone, is finding it hard to cope with Cristiano Ronaldo," he said. "He picks up pace so quickly he could be an athlete. I certainly would not like to be a right full-back trying to stop him.

"Along with Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry, he is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous players in the Premiership. "He doesn't appear to have been bothered by anything that went on during the World Cup and it is amazing to think he is going to get even better."



So sustained has Ronaldo's improvement been this term, Sir Alex Ferguson is even starting to believe the 21-year-old's career is benefiting from the controversies which erupted around him in Germany.

The Manchester United manager does feel the Portugal winger needs to be more aware of his team-mates in certain situations. But, on days like this, it is a minimal complaint. "Nothing fazes Cristiano," said Ferguson.

"He has been marvellous all season and, while it is difficult to say with any certainty, maybe what happened to him at the World Cup could turn out to be a defining moment in his career.
"I could see the potential for greatness the first time I saw him in training and he has a great future ahead of him."

Ronaldo inspires United to reclaim top spot

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer scored twice to put Manchester United back on top of the Premiership with a 2-0 home win against Newcastle but it was yet another inspired display by Cristiano Ronaldo that stole the show.

Portugal winger Ronaldo has been outstanding this season since returning from the World Cup where he was vilified for his part in team-mate Wayne Rooney's dismissal during England's quarter-final exit.

But despite once again being the subject of taunts from the visiting supporters Sunday, the youngster systematically dismantled Newcastle allowing the Old Trafford club to move ahead of champions Chelsea.

The failure of Jose Mourinho's side to beat Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge 24 hours earlier had opened the door for the home side to reclaim top spot from the London club.

Yet despite the incentive dangling in front of them, Sir Alex Ferguson's side initially struggled to take control against an insipid Newcastle, whose ambition extended no further than a policy of containment.

But while the visitors' determined defence may have stifled United's early efforts, it proved hopelessly inadequate once Ronaldo placed his imprint on the game. Quiet for the opening 16 minutes, the young Portugese star's first meaningful contribution forced a corner from which Nemaja Vidic almost brought the opener with a powerful header that Newcastle keeper Steve Harper did well to tip over.

Then ten minutes later, Ronaldo played a pivotal role in a sweeping 80-yard break that culminated in Darren Fletcher striking a vicious first time drive against the post, this time with Harper well beaten.

With Newcastle offering nothing by way of response, it was inevitable that United would eventually find a way through. Equally inevitable was Ronaldo's role as the architect of Solksjaer's 41st minute opening goal.

A short-corner exchanged with Patrice Evra, on after just 32 minutes for the injured Gabriel Heinze, allowed the winger to drift across the face of the Newcastle penalty area, ghosting past two defenders before striking a low shot against the foot of the post with Solksjaer on hand to tap in the rebound.

It was the injury-plagued forward's first league goal at Old Trafford in over three years, but the Norwegian doubled his haul just three minutes after the restart when he fortuitously deflected Vidic's shot beyond the unfortunate Harper.

Ronaldo's display was deserving of a goal but the former Sporting Lisbon man missed a glorious opportunity just 60 seconds later when Fletcher was again denied, this time by Harper, and the Portugese slammed the loose ball against the cross bar.

Moments later, the winger struck the post, this time after cleverly creating a shooting opportunity but the winger was not alone in his wastefulness with team-mate Paul Scholes guilty of spurning a great chance to make it three in the closing stages.