Runaway Ronaldo tops poll

There was only ever going to be one winner of ManUtd.com’s Player of the Month award for December 2007.

Hot favourite Cristiano Ronaldo ran away with a staggering 59 per cent of the vote after netting seven goals in six appearances.

More than 17,000 ManUtd.com users had their say, with Wayne Rooney a distant runner-up on 16 per cent. Ronaldo's win gave the Reds' no.7 his second Player of the Month award this term after he also topped the November poll.

The 22-year-old began December with a brace against Fulham before striking again five days later when Derby County came to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo scored another two against Everton on 23 December before curling in a spectacular free-kick against Sunderland on Boxing Day at the Stadium of Light.

There was still time for the Portuguese midfielder to score once more before the year’s end, this time with a pinpoint header at Upton Park.

ManUtd.com Player of the Month 07/08
Aug - Owen Hargreaves
Sep - Nemanja Vidic
Oct - Wayne Rooney
Nov - Cristiano Ronaldo
Dec - Cristiano Ronaldo

Cris : United are more than Ronaldo and Rooney

CRISTIANO Ronaldo insists Manchester United are much more than a two-man team.

The double footballer of the year scored his 19th goal of the season against Aston Villa, while Wayne Rooney came off the bench to grab his 10th and turn the match on its head.

But Ronaldo is adamant the champions do not rely too heavily on their dynamic duo.

"Manchester United is not just about one or two players," he said. "Everyone is important.

"I am having a good season and scoring lots of goals but it would be great if Wayne could get the same number, or even more. I would be happy if that happened, and that would also be true for Carlos and Louis as well."

Ronaldo's incredible scoring rate has helped United reach the knockout stages of the Champions League, the fourth round of the FA Cup and seen them climb to second in the league.

And he is confident they can do more than just retain their Premier League title this term.

"I believe we can do better this year," he said. "We have a good squad, with a fantastic group of players.

"We have a good chance of winning all the competitions, so why not think about doing that?"

FA Cup 3rd round - MU 2 : 0 Villa, 2R both scored

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney both scored in the last ten minutes as United bucked up to book their place in the FA Cup fourth round.

The Portuguese star stole in front of Aston Villa full-back Wilfred Bouma to prod home the first goal from Ryan Giggs's low cross in the 81st minute, just when a dour tie seemed destined for a replay at Old Trafford. And when Ronaldo's 89th minute shot was initially blocked, substitute Rooney drilled the rebound past Scott Carson - this just moments after the Villa keeper had made a double save from Michael Carrick......More

2008 will be better

CRISTIANO RONALDO says 2007 was a dream — but has warned 2008 will be even better.

The Manchester United star won his first title medal and came close to a treble last year.

He was also voted Footballer of the Year and just missed out on the European and world accolades.

Now he wants to top that by helping United retain their title and land a double with the Champions League after coming up short in the semi-finals last season.

Ronaldo, 22, said: “For me, 2007 will always be an extraordinary year. I was champion of England, reached the semis of the European Cup and fought out the final of the FA Cup.

“I think I really did a good job of work. And I hope to do better in 2008.

“As usual the priority at United is the Premiership and the Champions League. These are the two most important trophies.

“Last year we had no luck against Milan in the semi-finals. I hope this time the wheel of fortune will turn in our favour. We have the means to do it.”

Boss Alex Ferguson has already said he believes this squad is his best ever.

Ronaldo agrees that the blend is just right. The Portuguese winger added: “At Manchester United, we have a good mix of older and newer players.

“All of them are really competitive. We just have to convince ourselves that we have the means to win.”

Ronaldo set up Carlos Tevez for United’s winner over Birmingham on New Year’s Day. That kept them two points behind leaders Arsenal and Ronaldo believes they have the strength to overhaul the Gunners.

He said: “We didn’t set off well in the league this time but we have soon caught up.

“For some time, we have proved we are getting more resilient in our game, more controlled, more effective.

“In short, we are playing better and that bodes well for the rest of the season.

“Now we have got to stay serious, we mustn’t let the effort slip.”

Ronaldo is the country’s top scorer with 18 goals and believes he is in top form.

He said: “Personally I feel great. I get the feeling I am improving with every game.

“Some claim I am the best player in the world, others not. To tell you the truth, I have never really asked myself that question.

“First of all I dream of shining for United, to do my work to the best of my ability and to make day-to-day progress.

“I try to conduct my career in that fashion, without paying too much attention to what is being said on the sidelines.”

Ronaldo is a transformed player from the gangly show pony that first arrived from Sporting Lisbon 4½ years ago.

He said: “I am at the ideal club to grow and to reach the summit. That’s the key to my success.

“When I came to England, I was only 18. In four years,

everything has changed.

“I am no longer the same player. Thanks to mixing with some of the best players in the world, I have made progress on every front.

“I have become more sure of myself and thus I now have great ambitions for my club and for myself this season.

“With my team-mates, the understanding is remarkable. Nani, he’s a good mate. Like me, he came from Sporting Lisbon. He’s a very gifted player but he and I are not alike really.

“He has his own personality, his own style. He is only 21 and has much to learn. And, like me, he has chosen the ideal club to progress with and to lead a solid career.

“With Wayne Rooney, everything’s going well. Despite what happened between us in the past there are no problems or worries now.”

Although Ronaldo could not resist a little jibe at his friend and team-mate’s expense.

He said: “He won’t be at Euro 2008. I will be, though! I really want to win that. I will do everything to take us all the way.”

Ferguson is delighted with Ronaldo’s form but believes he needs more major medals to back up his ranking in world football.

Fergie said: “We are rating Cristiano Ronaldo the best player in the world — but he needs the medals to prove it.”

Meanwhile, Tevez has a badly bruised ankle from the game against Birmingham but hopes to be fit for the January 12 clash with Newcastle.

CRISTIANO RONALDO says he owes manager Alex Ferguson all his wages for helping him become the star he is today.

The flamboyant Portuguese winger, signed by Ferguson from Sporting Lisbon for £12million back in 2003, said: “I owe the manager my contract extension.

“In fact, I think I owe him everything. He is a great man, an exceptional manager.

“He knows my potential and always tries to get the best out of me.

“He puts great faith in me and it’s extremely flattering.”

Ronaldo won a reported £400 off his manager last season — after a bet on how many goals he would score for United.

MU 1 : 0 B'City

As hangover cures go, this match wasn’t the best remedy, but a 1-0 win over Birmingham City and three more valuable points toward the defence of United’s title was exactly what Sir Alex Ferguson had prescribed.

Carlos Tevez got the game’s only goal – producing a dummy in his celebration – but ended up being carried off with an injury after Louis Saha replaced him late on, although he didn't look in too much pain.

After the disappointment of defeat to West Ham three days previously, this was a game United could not afford to lose, but although the Reds got off to a good start, the lack of a second goal made it a nervous finish......More

MU 1 : 2 West Ham ; CR score but miss penalty

United’s attempts to end 2007 on a high were scuppered by West Ham as Alan Curbishley’s side earned a third win in a row against the Reds at Upton Park.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men took the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo in a scrappy and hard-fought game, and could have gone 2-0 had the Portuguese star converted a second-half penalty. With West Ham buoyed by Ronaldo’s miss, Curbishley’s side managed to snatch two goals and all three points. In truth, United were far from at their best and the Hammers were steeled to contain and frustrate the Reds. Unfortunately, their plan worked. But it could have been so different......More

MU 4 : 0 Sunderland ; CR prefect free kick

Cristiano Ronaldo Freekick Sunderland Manchester united 0-3
Uploaded by rimkaa59

Manchester United strolled to a 4-0 away win over struggling Sunderland to return to the top of the English Premier League on Boxing Day.

The champions might have been expecting an awkward afternoon on their trip to the Stadium of Light to play a team managed by their former captain Roy Keane, but the reality was very different.

England international striker Wayne Rooney opened the scoring with a deft 20th-minute finish, and French star Louis Saha doubled the lead 10 minutes later.

Cristiano Ronaldo played a part in both the goals and capped a superb first half performance with a trademark free kick on the stroke of the interval which left home goalkeeper Craig Gordon with no chance.

United eased off in the second half, but still increased their advantage through an 86th minute penalty by Saha for his second of the match.

The win takes United to 45 points from 19 games, two clear of Arsenal, who play at Portsmouth in the late evening kick off.

Ron just prefect

Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo after the winger fired the Reds to a vital victory over Everton on Sunday afternoon.

The 22-year-old put United 1-0 up on 22 minutes with an unstoppable left-footed strike. Tim Chaill drew the visitors level five minutes later with a bullet header from Steven Pienaar's cross.

Ronaldo fired the winner with two minutes remaining, converting from the spot after Ryan Giggs had been upended by Pienaar. Sir Alex was delighted with the victory and hailed Ronaldo's overall contribution.

"I don't think he ever made a mistake - he was absolutely perfect, it was a marvellous performance from him," Sir Alex told MUTV.

"The first goal was marvellous. The boy really has got everything and we're expecting goals from him all the time.

"The temperament and confidence he's always shown as a kid surfaces at times like that [when he stepped up to take the penalty]. He composed himself and took the spot-kick very well.

"Of course, others played their part and you could see what a great team spirit we have by the way we never stopped going. It's a very important result and it was a good team performance in the second half."

The United manager was unhappy with his side's defending for Everton's equaliser, but praised the players' response after the break.

"I was very disappointed with their goal. We should have closed the cross down sooner," said the Reds' boss. "We spoke about Tim Cahill before the game because we know he has good ability in the air and he did us at the back post.

"It was very disappointing particularly after making such a great start with Cristiano's goal. It derailed us really until the second half.

"My experience of this team is never to give up on them because they've scored so many important goals late on. Time was running out, but thankfully we got the penalty through Ryan. It was inexperienced defending from the young lad [Steven Pienaar], he stuck a leg out and thankfully we got the penalty.

"With Arsenal winning late on yesterday it was an important result for us to make sure we keep close to them. It starts the Christmas period off very well for us."

Cris double downs Everton....A prefect X'mas gift

Cristiano Ronaldo admitted a win was vital heading into the Christmas programme after his brace gave Manchester United a 2-1 win over Everton.Ronaldo had already seen one brilliant effort equalised by Tim Cahill and it seemed United would have to settle for a draw as Everton held their own.

But when Steven Pienaar brought Ryan Giggs down, Ronaldo nervelessly converted his 16th goal of the season to move the Red Devils back to within a point of leaders Arsenal.

And the Portugal winger told Setanta One: "I think the team played very well.

"In the first half it was not too good but second half I think we played better, created more chances and I think we deserved to win.

"It's important, we've got many games coming up now and it's important always to win. At home you need to win.

"With the next games, there is not too much time to rest, so it was important to win to stay near the top."

Regarding his personal contribution, Ronaldo said: "I'm very happy with Christmas coming up. I think Father Christmas gave me my present early!

"The most important thing is the team. The game was very tough, Everton played very well and created a few bad things for us. I think the lads played very well."

Disappointed but still satisfied

Ronaldo Still Satisfied

Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in an embarrassing mix-up at last night's FIFA World Player of the Year gala ceremony in Zurich.

The Manchester United winger was handed the prize for second place, then forced to hand it back to FIFA president Sepp Blatter in front of a star-studded audience after it emerged he had actually finished THIRD.

AC Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka scooped the top prize, with Barcelona winger Lionel Messi in second place.

Despite the cock-up in front of guests including Pele and Sir Bobby Charlton, Ronaldo remained upbeat and said: "It was an honour to be nominated for the award, although it's disappointing not to win.

"But Kaka is a fantastic player and I have many more opportunities to win in the future because I am still young. I hope I am back next year to compete for the prize.

"I've scored 14 goals already this season for Manchester United and my aim is to exceed everything I achieved last season.

"If I can do that, then I have a great chance of winning this award next time."

07 FIFA World Player Award

Cris come 3rd

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo had to settle for third place as Brazilian Kaka won the FIFA world player of the year prize.

Milan's Kaka received more votes (1,047) than the combined total of his short-listed rivals — Lionel Messi of Barcelona (504) and Manchester United's Ronaldo (426) — in the annual poll of national team coaches and captains. Chelsea's Didier Drogba (209) was fourth.

"Sometimes I want something and it's not possible."

Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his "dream" to one day play for a Spanish club. The 22-year-old Portuguese winger, the subject of interest from Real Madrid in the recent past, is happy at Manchester United - but would love to experience the Primera Liga one day.

Ronaldo - speaking in Zurich before the FIFA world player award for which he, Barcelona's Lionel Messi and AC Milan's Kaka have been short-listed - said: "I would like to play for a Spanish club one day - I don't know if it is possible, but it is my dream.

"Sometimes I want something and it's not possible. But this is my dream.

"It's a fantastic league where they play beautiful football, but I am convinced the English league is the most competitive in every aspect.

"I feel very comfortable in the English league; I think it's beautiful, and if I stay in Manchester that would be great for me - I love the club; I love the supporters, and it would be amazing for me to stay there for many years.

"But maybe one day, only God knows whether it will happen, I would like to play for a Spanish team and experience the difference."

Ronaldo is hugely honoured to be short-listed for the award, which has never been won by a Premier League player.

He added: "I was so pleased when I got nominated. The first thing I did was tell the people closest to me.

"I called my mother and told her, and then my brother and my sister.

"It's a real honour for me to be considered one of the three best players in the world."

"Going the right way."

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the nominees for the 2007 FIFA World Player award, spoke to FIFA.com for an exclusive interview in Zurich on 17 December.

The Portuguese attacking midfielder, who plays his club football for Manchester United, explained how proud he was to be one of the top three players in the world. He also revealed his ambitions for Portugal and talked of his admiration for Luis Figo.




Cristiano, tell us how you feel at the moment.
I'm proud to be here, alongside two incredible players. It's great for me, I'm the happiest man in the world! I don't know whether I'm going to win but that really doesn't matter, I feel good because I'm one of the three nominees. 2007 went really well on a personal level, and me and my team-mates helped Manchester United to the Premier League title.

What was the defining moment for you in 2007?
When I won the title with Manchester United, no doubt about it, as it was a first for me. Lifting that trophy was an incredible feeling.

What do you think of the other two players who have been nominated?
Kaka and Lionel Messi are exceptional players. I'm delighted that I was chosen alongside them by the various international captains and coaches. It's a real honour.

What are you wishing for in 2008?
I'd like to have as good as year as I did in 2007, perhaps even better, who knows? I'm working hard, focusing on my goals, and I've got some great team-mates around me. I'm heading in the right direction, I've got off to a good start to the season, scored some important goals and the team is looking good both in the league and in the Champions League so how could I not be happy!

Will 2008 finally be Portugal's year?
Portugal has got some good players, good coaching staff and we're performing well right now, so yes, 2008 should be a good year. Having said that, we have a tough group at the Euro with Switzerland, Czech Republic and Turkey, but I think we stand a fair chance.

Luis Figo is the only person from Portugal to be voted FIFA World Player of the Year. Tell us what he represents to you.
Figo really is an example for me. I played alongside him for Portugal and he is not only a great player but also a great man. It was a pleasure to play with him. He won the World Player of the Year title in 2001 and he fully deserved it after the season he'd had. That's what I'm going to try to do, year in, year out, to come back here to Zurich and win this trophy. Individual awards are important in a player's career.

What did you learn from playing alongside him at the 2006 FIFA World Cup?
I didn't just learn from him at the 2006 World Cup. Every year since I started playing football, I've been looking to progress. Each season I learn something new, I can feel it and it's a great sensation. I'm playing for a great club with great players and that's the best way to make progress - day in, day out.

You are now captain of Portugal. How are you faring with this new-found responsibility?
I've always had a sense of responsibility, whether I've been captain or not. But I must say that I'm both pleased and proud to be Portugal captain, despite how young I am, because I know what it means. My job is still the same though. I need to do what I do best out on the pitch, and that's score goals and help my team win.

MU 1 : 0 Liverpool

United executed the perfect contain-and-counter performance to notch a fifth win in six years at Liverpool, with Carlos Tevez scoring the only goal at Anfield.

The Argentine striker clipped home Wayne Rooney's shot after 43 minutes, while the stars of the show were undoubtedly United's backline and defensive midfielders.....more

Happy Cris

I want to get even better

Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to use comparisons with Manchester United's legendary 'Holy Trinity' as motivation to get even better.

The names of George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton still roll off the tongue as easily as they did in their 1960s heyday.

They were afforded their nickname by United fans as recognition of their immense contribution to the Old Trafford club's rise to the top of the European game just a decade after the Munich Air Crash had cruelly wiped out Matt Busby's 'Babes'.

Yet now Ronaldo is part of a new trio being afforded a favourable comparison with the illustrious heroes of the past.

Together with Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, the Portugal winger knows he still has some work to do if he is to leave a legacy as distinct as the one Best, Law and Charlton created.

Indeed, Charlton is amongst those who think they can although for now the 22-year-old is happy to be mentioned in the same terms.

"To be compared to some of the best players in the history of Manchester United, absolute legends at the club, is good and just gives us more motivation to work hard," said Ronaldo.

"It would be fantastic if people still talked about me at United after I finished playing.

"Sir Bobby is an honest guy. When he says something positive about me and my colleagues, it is good.

"He knows football. He knows about the game and this club. He knows how difficult it is when you are young, so his words will only help me to do better."

The weekend could hardly have gone any better for Ronaldo and his team-mates.

After overcoming a sodden pitch and an obdurate Derby outfit at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, United then saw next Sunday's opponents Liverpool crash to defeat at Reading.

If that was not enough, 24 hours later Arsenal lost their unbeaten record at Middlesbrough, meaning what had been a four-point deficit on the Gunners before the weekend has now been reduced to just one.

Not that Ronaldo is getting too excited just yet.

The former Sporting Lisbon star knows it is where the Red Devils are in mid-May that counts, not mid-December.

"The priority is to finish top at the end of the season, so the best thing we can do is concentrate on our own results," he said.

"We should not worry if we don't pass Arsenal next week. There is plenty of time left.

"We play Liverpool next weekend and if we win that we will have a better chance."

In snubbing Tevez's pleas to take the late penalty against Derby on Saturday, Ronaldo not only denied the South American a hat-trick opportunity, he also allowed himself to net for the 14th time this season and extend a run of scoring in seven out of the last eight games in which he has been involved.

It is a new landmark, even for a player of Ronaldo's exceptional ability. And it is one he would like to keep going over the next week, especially with a visit to Anfield on the horizon.

"I have not been on a run like this before. I am very proud of it and hopefully I can carry on," he said.

"I feel I am getting better. I try to improve every year and my ambition is to be better than I was two years ago."

With top spot in Group F secure, Ronaldo could be one of the star names rested from Wednesday's encounter with Roma in the Stadio Olimpico.

The 22-year-old's name did not feature in the likely starting line-up named by Ferguson on Saturday evening and given his importance next weekend, Ronaldo might well be give a few days off rather than make the trip to Italy.

"I respect the manager's decision," he said.

"He knows what is best for the team. Our squad is big and other players want a game as well, so if I stay here it won't be a problem."

Reds : Cris should take the penalty

Cristiano Ronaldo was right to take the penalty against Derby County, even if it prevented Carlos Tevez from claiming a richly deserved hat-trick.

That was the opinion of two senior United players and Sir Alex Ferguson after Ronaldo scored from the spot in injury-time. Tevez had scored two goals at that point and with the Reds 3-1 up, there seemed little risk in Cristiano passing him the penalty-taking duty.

But Reds captain Ryan Giggs insisted: "Penalty takers should always take penalties, simple as that. If we got an important penalty in the next couple of weeks then Cristiano scoring one today will give him the confidence to do it again."

Rio Ferdinand added: "It's professionalism. If the game was 1-1, Ronaldo would have taken the penalty. Sentiment doesn't really come into it. We're a professional team and I'm sure it means nothing to Carlos."

Sir Alex agreed: "Cristiano is the regular penalty kick taker and I can understand him wanting to take it. It would have been great for Carlos to get his hat-trick, but it's also important for Ronaldo to keep his goalscoring run going.

"When you're on a run like Cristiano is (12 goals in his last nine games) you want him to keep it going. It's the same for any player, it helps to keep your confidence high."

MU 4 : 1 Derby ; Cris take the penalty

Carlos Tevez was United's main man as Sir Alex Ferguson's side cantered to a 4-1 win over Paul Jewell's Derby County. The Rams started well, defending resolutely, but conceded goals from Ryan Giggs and Tevez before the break.

The Argentinean stretched United's advantage in the second half before Steve Howard pulled a goal back for the visitors. Just as the game looked dead, Cristiano Ronaldo tucked away United's fourth from the spot to seal an emphatic victory.

CR interview on MUTV