Rest for Cris

Sir Alex Ferguson will not rush Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to full match sharpness, so much so that he is considering whether to leave the Portuguese winger on the bench against Celtic on Tuesday.

The Reds boss paid tribute to Ronaldo’s personal characteristics and his athletic attributes, saying that he is capable of raising his game on demand. But his ability to recover from a Saturday game for a Tuesday Champions League tie are perhaps not yet at their usual superhuman levels – the after effects of a summer without training due to an ankle surgery.

“He’s coming along terrifically well,” said the United manager. “It’s almost there. With 20 minutes to go on Saturday when Gary Neville went on, I said to Gary, ‘ask Ronaldo how he is’. I thought he was showing signs of tiring.

“Gary asked him and Ronaldo said, ‘I think it’s time to come off’. Five minutes later he told Gary, ‘I’m feeling good now’. Maybe the fact that Gary told him he might be coming off lifted him a bit. You find that with the type of human being, the type of athlete he is. He will find something. When he needs it he finds it.

“One touch and he could score. He has got such a talent in the box. I think he’ll win the Ballon d’Or. If he doesn’t win it, I want to sign the guy who does.”

Ronaldo played in both Portugal matches during the recent round of World Cup qualifiers. It prompted a conversation between Sir Alex and his former assistant, now Portugal manager, Carlos Queiroz.

“I spoke to Carlos [Queiroz] and asked him what he thought [about Ronaldo’s match fitness]. He said he thought Cristiano was still finding it hard to recover from a Saturday game to play on a Wednesday. Carlos thought he was magnificent against Sweden on the Saturday, showing maturity, decision-making, everything… but on the Wednesday he was a little flat. That’s simply because he is still working on his recovery from games.

“Against Celtic, with it being Saturday to Tuesday, it would be perfect if we had an extra day. We’re just looking at the situation and whether we should bring in Nani for this one.

“We’ve got the option to bring Nani in because he only played 30 minutes for Portugal on Wednesday. When you get so many games in a row after spending time out injured, there is a response to playing all the time. The adrenalin makes you OK one game, but then your performance dips a little bit.”

Cris on Ballon d'Or list again

Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe estão nominated for the Trophy Golden Ball. The list of the 30 candidates was disclosed Sunday by French magazine France Football.
The Portuguese winger and Manchester United winger is apointed as the Trophy favorite,after he lost last year the prize to Kaká.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, second and third class in 2007, are the main candidates to Golden Ball 2008 prize given by France Football that distinguishes the year's best footballer acting in Europe.
The Trophy will be delivered on the 2nd December.

The 30 nominated list:
Adebayor (Togo, Arsenal).
Aguero (Argentina, Atletico Madrid).
Arshavin (Russia, Zenit St. Petersburg).
Ballack (Germany, Chelsea).
Benzema (France, Lyon).
Buffon (Italy, Juventus).
Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid).
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United).
Drogba (Costa do Mrfim, Chelsea).
Eto o (Cameroon, Barcelona).
Fabregas (Spain, Arsenal).
Gerrard (England, Liverpool).
Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Inter Mila).
Kaká (Brazil, AC Milan).
Lampard (England, Chelsea).
Messi (Argentina, Barcelona).
Pepe (Portugal, Real Madrid).
Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid).
Ribéry (France, Bayern Munich).
Rooney (England, Manchester United).
Senna (Spain, Villarreal).
Toni (Italy, Bayern Munich).
Torres (Spain, Liverpool).
Van Der Sar (Holland, Manchester United).
Van Der Vaart (Netherlands, Real Madrid).
Van Nistelrooy (Netherlands, Real Madrid).
Vidic (Sérvia, Manchester United).
Villa (Spain, Valencia).
Xavi (Spain, Barcelona).
Zhirkov (Russia, CSKA Moscova).

MU 4:0 West Brom; Cris goal but not happy

Four second-half goals helped a fluent United see off West Bromwich Albion’s gallant challenge at Old Trafford.

The Reds had been frustrated by the visitors – in particular keeper Scott Carson – for nearly an hour but finally made the breakthrough when Wayne Rooney finished neatly for his fourth goal in as many games.

Cristiano Ronaldo made the game safe with a left-footed shot before Dimitar Berbatov prodded home and substitute Nani added gloss to the scoreline in injury-time.....More

Cristiano doesn't seem to be enjoying playing the game he loved much anymore... even scoring doesn't give him the buzz it seems it use to... maybe hes just frustrated hes not at his best form yet and his ankle is still hurting him? maybe hes frustrated United fans (and the club?) are not giving him enough support so why celebrate? maybe he has problems in his personal life? maybe hes upset about not going to Real Madrid so is sulking? maybe hes jealous of Rooney getting all the attention after he got it all last season? maybe it's because Portugal didn't do well last week? it could be one of these things or all of them (a lot of things he has on his plate and is bothering/effecting him), who knows.....

Portugal 0:0 Albania

Portugal was held to 0-0 at home by 10-man Albania on Wednesday, knocking its World Cup qualifying campaign further off course. The Portuguese haven't won since their opening Group 1 match and have taken just five points from four games.

WCQ Portugal 0:0 Sweden

Sweden dominated play for much of the match but had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Portugal in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic nearly grabbed a late winner for Sweden in the 78th minute when he fired a left-foot drive from just outside the box, but Portugal goalkeeper Quim got his gloves on the ball and tipped it away.

Ibrahimovic, Sweden's captain in the absence of the injured Henrik Larsson, got his second yellow card during the qualifying campaign in the 35th minute, which means he is suspended when Sweden faces Portugal on March 28 in Lisbon.

Despite failing to capitalize on its many chances, Ibrahimovic was happy with the draw.

"I'm satisfied," he said. "We should have won, but one point is better than no point."

Denmark leads Group 1 with seven points after beating Malta 3-0 in Copenhagen. Sweden is second with five and Portugal third with four. All teams have played three games.

After being outplayed in the first half, Portugal improved in the second.

Joao Moutinho's right-foot drive in the 52nd minute from outside the box was tipped out by goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson.

Three minutes later, Raul Meireles' shot from outside the box went wide.

Sweden was missing six injured regulars but still outplayed Portugal in the first half and missed a handful of chances.

Johan Elmander was dangerous throughout, but he failed to capitalize. In the fourth minute, the tall Bolton striker nearly got his foot on the ball from close range.

Three minutes later, Elmander's angled shot from the right went just wide from inside box when he took a nice pass from Ibrahimovic after heavy Swedish pressure.

In the 17th, Elmander headed just over crossbar, and later volleyed high from close range. In the 39th, his header flew just wide of the right post.

Cristiano Ronaldo, playing his first match for Portugal since undergoing ankle injury after the European Championship in June, was neutralized by Sweden's tight defense in the first half.

Ronaldo had Portugal's only scoring chance in the 34th minute when he was left unmarked inside the box, but the Manchester United winger's shot went over the crossbar.

"Sweden played better than us in the first half," Ronaldo said. "In the second, I think Portugal played better. I think the draw is a good result. I'm fit for all games now. I felt good. I want to carry on like that.

"It was very good to play here, good atmosphere. There were beautiful people in the crowd."

Sweden was also missing defender Olof Mellberg and midfielders Christian Wilhelmsson, Tobias Linderoth and Anders Svensson because of injuries.

CR7 Lisbon

Cristiano Ronaldos' metrosexual high-maintenance fashion style is both ridiculed and admired in equal measures.

So it perhaps comes as no surprise that the Manchester United winger is expanding his fashion empire with a second clothes boutique in his native Portugal.

After opening his first CR7 store in his hometown of Funchal on the island of Madeira two years ago, Ronaldo brought along the whole family to the launch of his second boutique in Lisbon.

The store includes all the essential wardrobe items for a metrosexual Mediterranean stallion, including diamante studded belts, jeans with leather pockets and patent buckled loafers.

In a departure from the recent trend for subtle labels on designer clothes, Ronaldo's collection includes large metal emblems of his initials and team number 7 in clear view.

The flashy labels means it will be obvious to everyone the wearer has bought from Ronaldo's line.

The store also sells slinky outfits for women, perfect for any aspiring WAG.

Speaking last night, Ronaldo said: 'I expect the store will be a success. I really like the clothes and I identify myself with the style of CR7.'
Monday's launch of the Lisbon store was a real family affair for the millionaire soccer ace.

His mother Maria Delores proudly stood beside her 23-year-old son in a pistachio skirt and jacket.

Also in attendance was Ronaldo's sisters Katia and Telma - who runs Ronaldo's Funchal store - and his older brother Hugo.

Also in attendance was Portuguese singer/actress Luciana Abreu, who has recently been romantically linked to the Man Utd star.

When asked for her opinion of Luciana, mother Maria said she was very pretty, adding: 'She is a friend of the family and not a girlfriend. I would prefer to have a Portuguese daughter-in-law because I don't speak a foreign language.'

Keen to dispel his mother's wishes for him to settle down, Ronaldo said: 'I am still growing and I can make my own choices.'

The CR7 store aspires to sell clothes for 'fans who want to dress like Ronaldo'.

MU 2:0 Rover

Goals from Wes Brown and Wayne Rooney sealed an impressive away victory as United totally dominated Blackburn Rovers on their own patch......Read more

Cris back for Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo is back on the Portugal squad after an injury layoff, and is set to play his first games under new coach Carlos Queiroz in this month's World Cup qualifiers.

The Manchester United winger was included on Portugal's 23-man squad Friday to play Sweden on Oct. 11 and Albania four days later.

Portugal beat Malta 4-0 in its opening qualifier but then was upset at home 3-2 by Denmark and is fourth in Group A.

Ronaldo hasn't been featured since undergoing ankle surgery after the European Championship.

"It's great to be back in the national squad," Ronaldo said on the Portuguese Football Federation's website. "These are two important games we want to win. We have an excellent group of players and coaches and I'm very optimistic."

Inter Milan winger Ricardo Quaresma also returns after missing the first two qualifiers.

Queiroz, who took charge in July, also called up Deco even though the Chelsea playmaker is still recovering from a torn thigh muscle. Atletico Madrid's Maniche is also in doubt because of a back injury.

Winger Simao Sabrosa and central defender Ricardo Carvalho are both sidelined due to knee injuries. Sporting Lisbon's Tonel won his third callup to provide cover for the central defence.

Portugal has beaten Sweden only three times in 13 encounters. It has won all three of its previous games against Albania.

CR7 new store

Cristiano Ronalo will open a new store, CR7, that only existed on Madeira, but now it will exist on Lisboa too. CR7 Lisboa will open on the 6th October near Alameda dos Oceanos, near the residential area and BP gas station. The store will be similiar to the one at Funchal, and will have the same accessories, clothing, ...
The opening of the store will count with the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as his closer relatives and friends.

Cris resets recovery timetable; MU 3:0 Aalborg

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted it will be another three weeks before he has fully recovered from his summer ankle operation.

The Manchester United star came through his first full 90 minutes in the 3-0 win over Aalborg in Denmark last night that propelled the Red Devils to the top of Champions League Group E.

Although he did not get on the scoresheet himself, Ronaldo did provide the cross for Dimitar Berbatov's spectacular second goal.

With Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney both picking up worrying injuries last night, Sir Alex Ferguson will be delighted with Ronaldo's progress.

But the 23-year-old confirmed he is still not 100% and United will not see the best of him until after next month's international break.

"It will be another two or three weeks before I can give 100%," he said.

"I feel very good. There is good improvement there and I am very happy to be back.

"But my ankle has still not fully recovered. I still feel it a little bit.

"But the medical staff say that is normal and I feel very confident about the future."

To most pundits' surprise that future, on an immediate basis at least, will be at Old Trafford.

Almost every observer, including most United fans, felt Ronaldo would end up at Real Madrid this season.

However, not for the first time in his career, Ferguson defied the odds, flying to Portugal for face-to-face discussions with the player that ended with him committing himself to United.

Clearly the bond between Ronaldo and Ferguson is strong, even though long-time assistant Carlos Queiroz, who has become a father figure to the former Sporting Lisbon star, has left to take charge of the Portugal national side.

And Ronaldo is relishing the opportunity of another season at Old Trafford, determined to help United keep hold of their Premier League and Champions League trophies.

"I feel very comfortable," he said.

"I had my first game a couple of weeks ago against Villarreal and everyone appreciated the way I played.

"I feel very good in the club and I feel very happy. I want to carry on like that."

Meanwhile, Ferguson faces an anxious wait to discover the extent of the damage suffered by Scholes and Rooney at the Energi-Nord Arena.

Scholes was strechered off with what Ferguson thinks is medial knee ligament damage after injuring himself turning sharply, while Rooney is expected to miss Saturday's trip to Blackburn with an ankle injury that could also sideline him for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus.

"Wayne felt his ankle," confirmed Ferguson.

"We hope it is not ligament trouble but he is doubtful for Saturday I would imagine

"We do not know exactly how serious Paul's injury is at this moment in time," added the United boss.

"It looks like medial ligament damage, which would be six to eight weeks, which is a bit of a blow."

2R on fire for United; MU 2:0 Bolton

A controversial Cristiano Ronaldo penalty put Manchester United on the road to their first Premier League home win of the season - a 2-0 victory over Bolton.

Bolton were proving difficult opponents to overcome until referee Rob Styles amazingly awarded a penalty when he seemed perfectly placed to see Jlloyd Samuel play the ball as he made a tackle on Ronaldo.

The Portugal winger took full advantage of Styles' generosity and substitute Wayne Rooney wrapped up the win 13 minutes from time, curling home in superb fashion after exchanging passes with Ronaldo near the Bolton box.

Cris 1st goal this season; MU 3:1 Middlesbrough(Carling Cup)

Cristiano Ronaldo scored on his first start of the season in Manchester United's 3-1 League Cup victory over Middlesbrough and Mexican star Carlos Vela hit three as Arsenal's youngsters overwhelmed Sheffield United 6-0 on Tuesday.

Liverpool edged League One Crewe 2-1 but West Ham and Fulham were the victims of third-round upsets. The Hammers lost 1-0 at Watford and Fulham went down 1-0 at Burnley.
With the Premier and Champions Leagues to think about, the top clubs fielded many of their young stars in the race for the third most important title in English football.

But Ronaldo had been sidelined for three months because of an ankle injury and, after two appearances as a substitute, marked his first start by heading home a corner by Ryan Giggs in the 25th minute against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.

After Adam Johnson's 56th-minute deflected shot levelled for Boro, teammate and defender Emmanuel Pogatetz was sent off for a foul that led to lengthy treatment for United forward Rodrigo Possebon. Ryan Giggs then punished a blunder by Chris Riggott to put United back in front in the 70th, and Nani added the third in injury time.

MU 1:1 Chelsea

United clinched a valuable point at Stamford Bridge but, having taken the lead through Ji-sung Park, could have snatched all three points were it not for slack marking from a Chelsea free-kick, allowing Salomon Kalou to grab a late equaliser....More

CR return gets a real welcome; MU 0:0 Villarreal

Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw by Villarreal in Champions League Group E - but welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo back into action.

The Red Devils bossed possession at Old Trafford and had two penalty appeals involving Park Ji-Sung turned down.

But after Guillermo Franco hit United's upright with a cheeky back-heeled effort on 59, fit-again winger Ronaldo came off the bench on 62 and his cross set up a late chance for defender Jonny Evans, who steered a low header against the visitors' upright on 83 minutes.

Nani and Carlos Tevez forced decent saves from Diego Lopez, but Park was unlucky not to win at least one spot-kick after seemingly being fouled in the box by Sebastian Eguren and then Joan Capdevila.

Franco beat Edwin van der Sar but not the woodwork with his back-heel - but Ronaldo's introduction sparked United into life and only the post denied Evans a match-winner in the dying stages.

Afterwards Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the reception Cristiano Ronaldo received during the goalless Champions League draw at home to Villarreal will have convinced the player he made the right decision in staying with the club.

"He has had a turbulent summer and a lot has been said about it but when I had my meeting in June in Portugal with him that was over," Ferguson said.

"He dedicated himself to getting fit and his commitment to the club.

"It (the crowd's reception) was important for Cristiano.

"I think he realises what a great club he is at and how loyal the fans are. He will take great encouragement from that."

Despite the disappointment of a draw in their opening Champions League match, Ferguson was relatively happy with the performance from a team which included a number of players short of match practice.

"We made a lot of good chances, we played really good football, we played with speed," he added.

Cris back for United against Villarreal

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will make his long-awaited comeback against Villarreal in the Champions League tomorrow night.

The Manchester United manager said the Portugal winger would play some part in United's opening match of their European campaign after recovering from an ankle operation in July.

Ferguson will be without Michael Carrick, who has broken his foot, and revealed that Dimitar Berbatov is likely to also miss the match with a knee injury. However, Ferguson said Berbatov's fitness would have no bearing on his decision to recall Ronaldo.

"He [Ronaldo] will certainly be involved," the manager said. "Whether he will be starting or not will not be determined by the fitness of other players. It's still a major decision but I would think it is more likely he will start on the bench."

Ferguson dismissed suggestions that the player could be abused by fans after his flirtation with Real Madrid over the summer.

"I don't think there are any concerns about that," Ferguson said. "The fans understand the situation, that he was a young man tempted by the lure of money, but since we told him our decision he has accepted it well and his training has been fantastic.

"He had said that he would like to go to Real Madrid, but once we had our meeting, that was all finished. He accepted our decision and just got on with it and there hasn't been one problem since.

"And in terms of his injury, he has been one of the best patients I've ever seen. He has been working hard, every day until 5pm, and he has shown a real determination to get back and play for us.

"He has shown fantastic maturity over the last few weeks. There has been no pettiness, no chucking toys out of the pram. He has worked hard every day and his recovery is a credit to him and the physios."

Golden Shoe

Cristiano Ronaldo is already at Funchal, where he will receive the GoldenShoe this Saturday. Ronaldo arrived with very straight security, and although it was difficult to get to the players, the Portuguese player said a few words.

«It is a pride to receive the GoldenShoe at Madeira, and it is a compliment to my father and to my family.», he said to a huge number of journalists.
Manchester United’s star travelled to Madeira in a private flight, accompanied by his family, and the police built such a huge security project, that the kids who went to the airport to get an autograph turned out with nothing.

The environment towards Ronaldo is huge and it was very quick that the player abandoned the airport, but he said that he was already recovered.

Cristiano Ronaldo was very well.homoured and optimistic on the press conference of the ceremony of the delivery of the GoldenShoe.
«All goals are important, but my favourite was against Roma.»
«Within one or two weeksI'll be 100%. Let's see if the doctors let me. For the National Team, in october, I'll be even better.»

«I'm anxious to get back. I'm going crazy with so much time stopped. If he (Ferguson) wants to count on me (for VillaReal Match) make it his wish»
«Only misses who is there. That's what they say. They have lost with me too. At last year's season we also lost firts games, and we were champions. Of course that begining bad is always complicated, but I have hope that ManUtd will return to victoys very soon.»

«There are very nice laces. But I like Madeira, that is where the people who I like are, and this is a place like any other place. And this serves to prove to people who like me and admire me that I'm still the same whether a win a lot of awards or not. But sometimes I cant give so much attention, like yesterday at the airport, because sometimes "accidents" happen.»

»I never thought to cost that much» (ManCity)
»The boy is expensive» he said in laughs »By one side it is good to hear it, beacuse they are giving me a lot of value, but it can by only mouth (llaughs). Sometimes money cant make bug teams. I don't see myself moving from ManUtd to ManCity.»
About Zidane: «It's good to hear it from one of the Best player in the world. Every player knows who deserves the prize (FIFA award), they saw the seaosn that each player done. I think taht by my regularity, and by the goals I scored in the Champions League and English League I deserve the prize. We'll see in December.»

Cris is ready

Cristiano Ronaldo could make a shock return for United in the next few days after Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he may take the winger with him to Anfield.

Wednesday's Champions League Group E opener against Villarreal at Old Trafford might be a safer bet, but either way the news is a significant and surprising boost to United as some reports had suggested last season's 42-goal hero would be out of action until October.

The Portuguese winger has been sidelined since undergoing a successful ankle operation in Amsterdam at the start of July. However, his rehab work in Manchester has gone so well in recent weeks that his inclusion in Sir Alex's XI is now close.

Sir Alex told MUTV on Friday morning: "Ronaldo is training now, he's with the first team. He's come on leaps and bounds and I may take him with us tomorrow, who knows? But he's more likely to be involved next week.

"I think we mentioned a couple of weeks ago he was making rapid progress in terms of overcoming the injury problem he had and the training he's been doing with the physios and Tony Strudwick the fitness coach.

"He's been making great strides in the direction towards first-team football."

The summer months were riddled with press speculation and uncertainty over his future. But he has decided his future remains in Manchester and his impending return to action is a real filip for Sir Alex ahead of another key match against Chelsea.

Cris named European club footballer of the year

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo was named UEFA's European Club Footballer of the Year on Thursday after scoring 42 goals last season including eight in the Champions League.

The award was made during the draw for this year's group phase at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

Ronaldo was also named as the forward of the year for helping United win the European Cup for the third time.

Three Chelsea players who were in the side beaten by United in the Moscow final in May, won awards. John Terry was named as defender of the year, Petr Cech goalkeeper of the year and Frank Lampard midfielder of the year.

Cris stay

Cristiano Ronaldo finally pledged his immediate future to Manchester United - but perhaps only for one more season.

In an interview with Portuguese newspaper Publico published today, Ronaldo reveals that although he still wants to play for Real Madrid some time in the future, he will remain a United player for this campaign.

He praises manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who on Monday insisted that Ronaldo would be staying, with the player's words putting an end to the summer's longest -running transfer saga.

Ronaldo said: 'Sir Alex Ferguson heard my reasons, I heard his and we have an agreement that the best for both parties would be if I stay. Therefore, I can confirm that next season I will play in Manchester United.

'For a while, my desire was that Manchester would accept Real Madrid's bid. To say the opposite would be cheating people and my own conscience.'

The news made it a double boost for Ferguson and United, with Wayne Rooney making a faster than expected recovery from the bug he picked up during the pre-season trip to Nigeria. He may be fit for the season's opener at home to Newcastle on Sunday week.

Miss start of season after ankle surgery

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo had surgery Monday on his right ankle, and the English Premier League team says it will know in a month when he'll be able to return.

The Portuguese star could miss the start of the season next month. He revealed after last month's European Championship he had been playing in pain the past three months.

Ronaldo, 23, arrived at the hospital Sunday night. He is expected to leave the Academic Medical Center today, hospital spokesman Johan Kortenray told the Associated Press.

"The initial indications are that the procedure was successful," Man United said in a statement.

Ronaldo scored 42 goals for Man United last season, powering them to triumphs in the Premier League and Champions League. But at Euro 2008, Portugal was ousted in the quarterfinals.

The ankle surgery comes amid speculation of a possible move to Real Madrid.

Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón said Sunday he is ready to begin transfer talks with Man United, but is not confident about signing the winger even if Manchester United consents.