SIR ALEX FERGUSON has insisted Cristiano Ronaldo's burgeoning celebrity status will not be allowed to ruin his career at Manchester United - just as it did with David Beckham.
Ronaldo has inherited Beckham's former title as United's most high-profile and marketable player, an iconic superstar whose looks and unique talent make him just as valuable off the field as on it.
But Fergie, who sold Beckham to Real Madrid in 2003 because he felt the former England captain's celebrity profile had suffocated his ability and ultimately become detrimental to United, is adamant Ronaldo will not suffer the same fate.
"It's obvious when a talent like Ronaldo comes along that there will be attention," said Fergie in a break from United's preseason tour of Asia. But this club has been used to that for years now. There was George Best and then Ryan Giggs."
"Every time a fresh young talent comes along, they get praise heaped upon them. This club is great at creating heroes - there's no question about that.
"Ronaldo is 22, and at that age you have to be flexible when it comes to curtailing their youthfulness.
"I remember Ryan coming into training once wearing a new jacket, and I said to him 'Where the hell did you get that?'
"But young people like to dress differently and they want a bit of freedom in their choices. They want to be men before they're men and, with Cristiano, a lot has happened to him in his time at Manchester United.
"He's matured fantastically well and he's an intelligent boy who looks after himself. He has a lot of pluses. You never know how players handle celebrity and all the attention.
"But with Ronaldo, he seems to do OK with that. He seems to be fine. He doesn't seem to be overwhelmed or overly flattered by it.
"The problem comes when players get flattered by it and start enjoying it. That's when you start worrying."
The similarities between Beckham and Ronaldo are compelling, not least because both are synonymous with United's iconic No.7 shirt and have a global appeal that transcends football.
Beckham brought out a clothing range called DB7 during his United career, while Ronaldo has just launched his own chain of fashion stores, intriguingly called CR7, in his native Madeira.
And just as Beckham was when United travelled to the Far East for a pre-season tour in 2001, Ronaldo has been mobbed by hysterical fans - most of them teenage girls - wherever he has gone. In short, Becksmania has been replaced by Ronaldomania.
But while the pressures of commercial duties and the relentless scrutiny of the outside world can take its toll on modern-day players, Fergie has no fears over Ronaldo's ability to handle himself.
"At the moment there's absolutely no sign that the boy will be wasted by it," said Fergie. "When people ask to interview him, I don't worry too much. He can cope."
And Fergie is convinced the 22-year-old, who scooped the top individual honours last season - including PFA Player of the Year and the Football Writers' Player of the Year awards - can go one better and be crowned World and European Player of the Year.
"I hope he can," said Fergie. "Last season there was a fantastic improvement in Cristiano in terms of his goalscoring. To get 23 goals as a wide player is incredible.
"I know there were some penalties but to get something like 18 goals from open play as a wide player, there's not many who can do that." Fergie cut a relaxed figure as he looked ahead. The additions of Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson, as well as the expected arrival of Carlos Tevez, have strengthened his squad and also Fergie's belief that further success lies ahead this season.
And the United boss believes he now has a squad with enough quality and strength in depth to add to his solitary Champions League triumph of 1999.
"This squad certainly give us lots of alternatives," said Fergie.
"In the past we've complained about that. Against AC Milan in the Champions League semi-final second leg last season, we simply didn't have enough bodies. Nowadays you need 25 players during a season."
Cristiano Ronaldo says he thoroughly enjoyed the experience of touring with United throughout the Far East this summer.
The 22-year-old overcame a stubbed toe to come on as a late substitute in the 3-0 win over Guangzhou on Friday - showing off his customary tricks and flicks. As expected, Ronaldo was well-received by fans in Asia but the Portuguese winger says it is the team that commands the greatest following.
"It's a great opportunity to come to Asia," he told MUTV. "Here in Asia you have a lot of support and you see in these games how much everyone enjoys it. For me it's important the fans like us, not just me but all the players. It's important for us because United are so big all over the world and I'm very proud of that."
As with all pre-season tours, the number one priority is gaining fitness and match sharpness. That objective, Ronaldo says, has been achieved.
"It's very good for me. I feel fit and I'm very happy for that. But I must keep my form going. The Premiership starts soon and I must be ready for that. I hope to play well. My ambition is still the same – I want to play well, score goals and provide assists. I tried to do the same last year and I worked hard to do that. I hope things come good for me."
Ronaldo knows all about fellow countryman Nani, who scored his second goal in as many matches against Guangzhou, but he is excited about the prospect of playing alongside Owen Hargreaves, who is suffering from a knee injury, and Brazilian Anderson, who joins the rest of the squad at the start of August.
"We have signed three fantastic players and I hope they never leave," Ronaldo says. "They will be great for the club and the team."
Manchester United dominates Shenzhen 6-0 in Macau
Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and three others scored as Manchester United gave Chinese side Shenzhen Xiangxue Eisiti a 6-0 drubbing in the southern Chinese gambling enclave Macau on Monday.
Picking up a short pass, Rooney dribbled into the penalty box at Macau Stadium and passed to the middle to Giggs for the follow through in the 11th minute.
Rooney found the net himself by delicately curving the ball from inside the penalty box into the top right corner of the goal in the 19th minute.
Then Nani, making his United debut after transferring from Sporting Lisbon, drilled the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from outside the penalty box in the 22nd minute and celebrated by doing a flip.
Ronaldo narrowly missed a powerful free kick before the half that sent Shenzhen's crossbar shuddering. Ronaldo tapped the ball to John O'Shea inside the penalty box and O'Shea scored in the 54-minute to make it 4-0.
Fed by Rooney, Ronaldo easily made his shot from the corner of the goal box in the 56-minute for United's fifth goal.
Christopher Eagles fired a lob from well beyond the penalty box that landed over the Shenzhen goalkeeper in the 63rd minute to give United a 6-0 lead.
Meanwhile, Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes injured himself during a training session and was sent home, the club said on its official Web site Monday.
The report said details of Scholes' injury weren't immediately confirmed.
In Asia for an exhibition tour, United beat FC Seoul Friday and next plays Guangzhou Pharmaceutical this Friday.
Cristiano Ronaldo enhanced his standing as arguably the most popular player in the Far East by producing a magical 45-minute display as Manchester United defeated FC Seoul 4-0 here on Friday.
The Portuguese forward, whose every touch was greeted by cheers and piercing screams, scored one and made two other goals in a comprehensive victory for the English champions.
And although the double Footballer of the Year was replaced at half-time, United still showed enough to suggest that they will once again take some stopping in the Premiership this season.
United were without South Korean midfielder Ji-Sung Park due to the knee injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until Jaunary at the earliest.
But the 65,000 sell-out crowd inside the Seoul WorldCup Stadium were not short of superstars to entertain them and both Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney turned on the style in front the hugely passionate supporters.
Seoul, languishing in mid-table in the K-League, were never a match for the Premiership giants and the English team cruised into a three-goal inside the opening half hour.
The game was only five minutes when Ronaldo, who appears to be building up a David Beckham-like status in the Far East, scored his second goal of the Asia Tour following neat inter-play with Rooney.
England striker Rooney received the ball from a throw-in halfway inside the Seoul half before turning and laying the ball off to the on-rushing Ronaldo.
With the defenders backing off, Ronaldo powered forward before beating keeper Kim Byung-Ji with a low shot from 20 yards.
Ki Sung Yeung gave United a fright seven minutes later when he shot narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area, but on 18 minutes, Sir Alex Ferguson's team had doubled their lead through youngster Chris Eagles.
Ronaldo was again a key figure as he played tricks with the ball before teeing up the young midfielder and Eagles beat Kim with a curling effort into the bottom corner of the net.
The home side simply could not compete with United's superior quality and Rooney put United 3-0 ahead on 20 minutes with well-taken goal, again after being teed up by Ronaldo.
Ronaldo almost made it 4-0 on 29 minutes with a vicious left-foot strike from 30 yards that flew a matter of inches over the crossbar.
Rooney and Ronaldo were replaced at half-time by Ryan Giggs and Alan Smith and Seoul were able to settle quicker after the break, creating chances to reduce the deficit.
But Kim Dong Suk's low effort was saved by goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak and United unsurprisingly regained the upper hand shortly afterwards, with Senegal-born France defender Patrice Evra rounding off a two-man move involving Giggs and Paul Scholes to score from close range on 59 minutes.
Ronaldo helps United to draw in Japan
Urawa Red Diamonds 2 Manchester United 2
Manchester United's Far East tour began with disappointment for the Premier League champions, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds in Saitama.
United went behind after 25 minutes when an error from Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar gifted Hideki Uchidate the opener. Sir Alex Ferguson's team fought back in the second half, however, and took a 2-1 lead with goals from Darren Fletcher and Cristiano Ronaldo, who cut inside in typical fashion to drive a blistering shot home.
With United seemingly heading for victory, a superb solo effort in the 78th minute from Shinji Ono, the former Feyenoord midfielder, earned the J-League champions a draw, thrilling the near-capacity crowd of 58,716.
Despite the late setback, it was a useful workout for United, who were missing Owen Hargreaves and Nani through minor injury. Van der Sar, however, will be keen to forget his embarrassing contribution. His mistake for the goal was one of several unforced errors in a poor performance. With Ben Foster out until March following surgery and the Dutchman almost certain to start in goal for the Premiership opener against Reading on August 12, Ferguson will be hoping it was simply a glitch.
In midfield, Darren Fletcher was prefered to Alan Smith. The Scotland international, who will doubtless be concerned by the arrivals of Anderson and Hargreaves into an already long list of midfielders fighting for United places, took his goal well, driving home from Michael Carrick's neat pass.
CR follow the Manchester United squad arrives at Japan & start their Far East Tour
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