Darren Fletcher insists Cristiano Ronaldo was not to blame for United's dramatic defeat at West Ham on Saturday.
The Portuguese winger's penalty miss - after his earlier opening goal - squandered the chance to put United 2-0 up, but Fletcher insists that defensive lapses were culpable for the shock loss.
"To lose like that, late on in the game after battling so hard for most of the match, is disappointing," Fletcher told MUTV. "Ronaldo missed his penalty but that can happen, we're still in a comfortable position 1-0 up and then it comes down to set-pieces.
"It's not him to blame, he's been fantastic for us and won us many games and many points. We were still in a winning position, so it's nothing to do with the penalty that lost us the game today. It was individual errors at set-pieces that have cost us."
The defeat saw United drop points for the first time in a hectic Christmas period, and Fletcher is already looking ahead to Birmingham's visit to Old Trafford on New Year's Day.
"Every time you drop points or lose, you have to pick yourself up and go on another winning run," he said. "We wanted to get through the Christmas period with maximum points and put pressure on the teams below us, but unfortunately that's not happened.
"We've got to pick ourselves up for Birmingham now and get three points and go on another winning run. We can't wait for that game to come now."
CRISTIANO RONALDO has finally met his match — in one of the world’s greatest supercars. And now he wants to buy one.
The Man Utd flyer donned a pair of Nike boots to pit his speed against an £800,000 Bugatti Veyron in the new ad for the footwear giant.
But with the mean machine capable of 0-60mph in less than three seconds — never mind a 253mph top speed — Ronaldo had to have a head start during filming at a race circuit in Cheshire.
Ronaldo was so impressed he now wants to sign the Bugatti for his team of motors, which includes an Audi R8 and a top-of-the-range BMW and Porsche.
A source at the circuit said: “Ronaldo wanted to know everything about the car — we think he wants to buy one.
“The whole premise was the comparison between one of the best players in the world and the fastest thing on four wheels.”
Other footie stars have been lined up to appear in the ads for Nike’s new range. Arsenal youngster THEO WALCOTT takes on Premiership speedsters GABRIEL AGBONLAHOR and AARON LENNON in the New Year to find who is the quickest over 100 metres.
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 Cahill 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 verydisappointed 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."
yeah he played great. i was amazed at how many times he put some great crosses into the box, especially early crosses, it was good to see he can do both, dribble and cross when he needs to, and he made some decent passes. His goal was fantastic with his left foot (hes not afraid of using it if he needs to which is good to see) and his penalty was great which they always are, i never have any doubts when Cristiano takes them, even under that sort of preasure, i guess him taking the pen vs Derby helped huh? Grin
he now has 16 goals this season, hes top of the Premiership scoring charts aswell as the CL scoring charts, hopefully he can keep it up and get atleast 25 goals this season.
also he now has 66 United career goals, hopefully he can get 100 goals! that would be a great achievement in the next few years for him.
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been hailed as football's answer to basketball megastar Michael Jordan.
The tribute came from Manchester United No2 Carlos Queiroz, who has witnessed at close quarters Ronaldo's development from Portuguese whizzkid to world star.
By linking him with Jordan, acclaimed as one of the greatest sportsmen of the 20th century, Queiroz has elevated the United winger to a new level.
Skill
And Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant justified his claim by highlighting Ronaldo's creative mind, his skill levels, competitive edge and work ethic.
Queiroz (right) said: "My belief is he will not only be the biggest attraction in England. In my opinion, Cristiano can be the same throughout Europe and world.
"He can be a world star in football like Michael Jordan was in basketball because of the skill level they share in their sports.
"It is a big thing to say because Michael Jordan was such a big name but I really believe that. In my life I have worked with players like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo from Brazil, Raul, Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Roberto Carlos — and I never saw such a creation as Cristiano."
Ronaldo will have to go some to emulate the achievements of Jordan, whose basketball career with Chicago Bulls made him one of the world's richest and most recognised sportsmen.
Some polls even put him ahead of Muhammad Ali as THE outstanding sports star of the 20th century.
Jordan is reckoned to be a dollar billionaire. At his peak he was paid £200,000 a game, with endorsements worth £20million a year including the famous Nike shoe and clothing range based on his nickname Air Jordan.
On the court Jordan's list of honours was as remarkable as his earning power.
Record
He was five times a winner of the NBA's Most Valuable Player award and appeared 10 times for the All-NBA select team.
His records include a highest career scoring average of 30.12 points per game. Jordan was a double Olympic champion, having struck gold in the Los Angeles Games as a college star in 1984 and led the American "Dream Team" to glory in Barcelona in 1992.
Ronaldo has some catching up to do — but his fame is already being recognised globally.
In a survey by two Spanish universities the United star is on top of the world, based on a study of media attention received this year.
His United team-mate Wayne Rooney was second, followed by Ronaldinho and David Beckham.
But it is as a footballer that Queiroz judges him — and he is better qualified than most to rate him.
The coach monitored Ronaldo's progress as a junior at Sporting Lisbon and helped his graduation into an international star at Old Trafford.
Queiroz can offer a unique view of the winger's skills and marvels at his desire to keep re-inventing the techniques that have made him a unique talent.
Queiroz has watched Ronaldo put in up to 90 minutes' extra work on the training ground after his team-mates have showered and packed up for the day.
The United No2 said: "Cristiano has all the natural skill and ability but he also has a creative mind which makes him always try new things.
"The fantasy is not the problem for him — it's how to use it on the pitch to get results for the team.
"He creates things in his mind and has the confidence and bravery to make it happen.
"He brings something to every game. It is hard work as well as ability.
Control
"Sometimes the training session at Manchester United ends at 11.30 and Cristiano will stay until 12.30 or 1 o'clock, alone, practising those skills with the ball."
Queiroz reckons Ronaldo has added the final ingredient to his game — control of his temperament and refusal to be provoked by opponents.
And he has stopped treating the rest of the world as an enemy as he matures into the complete footballer.
Queiroz said: "There is no doubt he has grown up, particularly in his attitude to competition. He is now ready to understand criticism and everything around him. It's not often you see him in an emotional situation now.
"He doesn't try to take on the world.
"He is much more mature now because he thinks about the game and plays for the team.
"He has learned to pass or to shoot at the right time. He doesn't need to make a point to everybody with every single thing he does in a game.
"If it was my decision, Cristiano, not AC Milan's Kaka, would be the World Player of the Year.
"Kaka had something that Cristiano didn't have, winning the Champions League — and that has helped him win the awards. But Cristiano's been more consistent than Kaka."
Cristiano Ronaldo believes Manchester United have the ability to secure the treble this season.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side are second in the Premier League, through to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League and face Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup in January.
And Ronaldo is confident that United have enough resources to mount a charge on all three fronts.
"I believe [the treble is a realistic possibility]. I'm at one of the biggest clubs in Europe and I must think like that," he told Zoo magazine.
Everything
"I play for Man United, where you always have a big chance to win trophies and this year we've got the opportunity to win everything. We've got the players, the manager and the set-up to win it all."
Ronaldo went on to insist that he was not disheartened after missing out on Fifa's World Player of the Year award to Milan's Kaka.
"I want to win more individual trophies and I want to win the domestic ones again," he continued.
"I started to play professional football a few years ago and I've had time to play and think about my career. I try to do better and I want to win everything!"
Read the full article in ZOO magazine, out now.
so he wants to win everything!, it's good see him with so much ambition. Grin hopefully we can do the treble, we certainly have the players, manager, everything at United to do it like he said, it's not impossible, nothing is. Wink
hes got a good chance of winning the domestic awards once again, if he keeps up his form bar the Liverpool game and scores 25-30 goals! hopefully he does that.
Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his "dream" to one day play for a top Spanish team.
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."
The award is voted on by all national team managers and captains, and this year's shortlist contains three young players nominated for the first time.
Kaka, 24, said: "It shows that this is a new era in football, a new cycle is starting.
"They were great players before, but now the new players are starting to make history."
Messi, aged just 20, added: "To be chosen among the top three when I am so young is a great honour and I just want to keep improving and working hard on the pitch."
Undecided
i'm not sure what to make of this...
why the need to say you dream of playing for a Spanish team if your happy at United? Undecided it's the fact hes talking about it makes me worried...
he Champions League, European Cup and Club World Cup winner saw off the challenge from Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo in the poll of national team coaches and captains to win by more than 500 points.
He had 1,047 points while Messi had 504 and Ronaldo 426, making it a runaway win like in the Ballon d'Or.
Didier Drogba was fourth, a further 200 points off, with 209, while Ronaldinho came in fifth.
A Special Night
"Tonight is really special for me," said Kaka.
"When I was young I dreamed of playing for Sao Paulo and playing just one game for the national team.
"That was it...but the Bible says God gives us more than we ask for and that is what has happened in my life.
"I had always thought about winning this (FIFA) award," said Kaka. "But there are always doubts until it is actually confirmed.
"It is not just this award but the whole year that has been very nice. Winning the Champions League and everything that has happened, it's just been wonderful."
A Word For Local Rivals
The Milan man was also asked about the derby clash against Inter this weekend.
"We want to do well because it's the last game of the season and a great chance to recover some lost ground," he said.
"If we then also win the three games we have to recover, we can rise up the table and get close to the teams on top.
"We are not afraid of anyone."
Pele Praise
Pele, who gave away the award, said: "Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi have played some great football this year but they are not yet the most prominent players in their national teams," Pele said.
"Kaka has been playing at this level for Brazil for four years now, he helps out in midfield and he is also a great example off the pitch. He's the complete player."
--------------------------
I think his explanation was so classy that I took into my sig.... LoL As much as I respect Pele i am wondering if he watched Portugal matches during the last 2 years? Lips Sealed Btw who the fuck was Kaka 4 years ago? None talked about Kaka during the WC 2002?! lol So what exactly is he trying to say?
As if the heartbreak of losing in the World Cup semi-finals to France wasn't enough, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to England amid a cacophony of jeers and abuse.
England had just been knocked out of the quarter-finals by Ronaldo and company, and Wayne Rooney was sent off for stamping on an opponent.
His wink and cunning smile, right after inciting the referee to show Rooney the red card, left a sour taste in the mouths of England fans.
That wasn't all. There were those untrue rape allegations before that. Then, his father died.
All these in the space of less than a year.
Lesser men would have cracked under such stress. Ronaldo thrived.
He went on to enjoy his best ever campaign last season, playing the best football of his career.
Manchester United narrowly missed out on a Double, winning their first Premiership title since 2003 but narrowly losing in the FA Cup final to Chelsea after extra-time.
Ronaldo also helped his club to the semi-finals of the Champions League, eventually losing their first-leg lead in the return fixture at the San Siro to eventual European club champions AC Milan.
But Ronaldo's contributions on the field, including 23 goals for the Red Devils, were not overlooked.
There was no shortage of famous fans who would gladly name him as the world's best player.
So, it was no surprise that he won the Professional Footballers Association's Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards for last season - the first player to win both awards in the same season since Andy Gray in 1977.
That prompted England and Chelsea captain John Terry, impressed with the way the Portuguese handled the backlash against him after the World Cup Finals, to pay him a tribute.
He said: 'I could watch United just to watch him. He does things no one else in the world is doing at the moment.
'He's the best in the world. At his best, not many people can stop him.'
The 22-year-old Portuguese wizard is comfortable with either foot, mostly used as a winger but also sometimes deployed by Alex Ferguson as a second striker.
He is also known to switch flanks during a match with either Ryan Giggs or Nani just to confuse opponents.
His multiple step-overs are always a delight to watch, but it is actually the speed of his footwork that seems to do the most damage to opponents.
With evergreen Giggs on one wing and Ronaldo on the other, plus the likes of Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney feeding off the supply of crosses and through passes from the wings, United are one of the most fearsome attacking teams in Europe.
The blend of youth and experience in the team also means that this current side still has some way to go before it goes on the wane.
CRITICISM
But one criticism often levelled at Ronaldo - and perhaps justifiably so - has been his tendency to dive in the penalty box.
In a Premier League match against Fulham a fortnight ago, he was booked for what the referee deemed as play-acting, although it must be said that television replays were not conclusive.
Ferguson blasted the official for judging his star player based on Ronaldo's reputation rather than the incident itself.
A week later, Ronaldo did himself no favours. His theatrics in the penalty area earned him a penalty in injury-time, which he converted to secure a 4-1 win over Derby.
There is another downside to the player. He is just as flamboyant off the field as he is on it, as one would expect of a young man reportedly earning £119,000 ($357,000) a week and worth £12.5m.
As recently as August, British tabloids exposed Ronaldo and his Portuguese team-mates, Nani and Anderson, having a romp with five prostitutes at his mansion.
Then again, when footballers are blessed with such talent, they seem to get away with anything, don't they?
Even if Cristiano Ronaldo misses out on the Fifa World Player of the Year award to Kaka, his predecessor as the icon of the Portuguese national side, Luis Figo, believes the Manchester United star’s claim to being the best player on the globe will eventually prove irresistible.
The Premier League star has been named on a three-man shortlist for the award – along with Milan hero Kaka and Lionel Messi of Barcelona – after a stunning 12 months in which he has scored 23 goals in 38 games for his club and helped his country qualify for Euro 2008.
The reigning PFA Player of the Year and Footballer of the Year may have a strong claim for becoming the first English-based player to win the award after inspiring United to the Premier League title, but it is Kaka, who led Milan to Champions League glory and recently claimed the Ballon d’Or, who is currently favourite.
Even if Ronaldo misses out this time his former international team-mate Figo, who won the award in 2001, believes it will not be long before the forward is crowned the greatest player on the globe.
"I don't have any doubt he deserves to win," Figo said.
"I do not have the right to vote, but if I did it would be for Cristiano. If he doesn't win it this year, he will do it next time."
Fifa will announce its Player of the Year, voted for by international managers and captains, at a star-studded gala event on December 17.
it doesn't look like he will win it this time because Kaka won the Champion's League (and was top scorer, even if i don't agree he was the best player over the course of the season) but hopefully he can win it hopefully next year or in the next few years. Grin they can't ignore him if he keeps up his great form and wins the CL and/or PL or Euros!
CRISTIANO RONALDO is slippery on and off the pitch. His antics include pool parties with hookers, conning referees and now sliding his car off the road with some fancy driving.
The Man U winger found himself facing the wrong way on a roundabout on Monday night after scoring a double (on the pitch) in the match against Fulham.
He was tanking it in his brand new Audi R8 when he lost control and spun the car 180 degrees.
A source said: “Cristiano had a real fright. He was giving it some welly on his way home from the game, in great spirits after a brilliant performance.
“The road was a bit slippery and he ended up losing control, power-sliding around the roundabout. He did manage to turn the car safely and avoid any damage...but he’s had a proper scare.”
He’s not the first in the team to do it. WAYNE ROONEY came off the road in his Lamborghini Gallardo when he was getting used to the supercar.
Cristiano Ronaldo is bringing the same 'wow factor' to Manchester United as George Best did in the 1960s, according to Denis Law.
The former United striker believes Ronaldo deserves to be considered as one of the best three players in the world.
He also believes the Barclays Premier League title will come down to a straight fight between Arsenal and United.
Law, speaking at the launch of the UEFA Cup final design at the City of Manchester Stadium, told PA Sport: "Ronaldo is playing absolutely marvellous football.
"There are players when they get the ball and you think 'Christ, something is going to happen here'. It doesn't always happen but you just feel it.
"We had players like that in my day with George Best.
"They are all a team but certain players make a difference and Ronaldo is one of those, and if they are injured or suspended then if can affect the team.
"He's a winger-cum-midfielder rather than a striker but he still scores and awful lot of goals - and he's good with his head."
Ronaldo is on the three-man shortlist for FIFA's world player of the year award, along with AC Milan's brilliant Brazilian Kaka and Barcelona's Argentina forward Lionel Messi, and Law said that acclaim was fully deserved.
He added: "I would say that you would be struggling to come up with a better trio than those three at the moment, I think he's right up there.
"I thought he might have a bit of a lean time after the World Cup because of certain things that happened there but he's proved that wrong.
"It has probably made him a better player because he has had to suffer some abuse, he came through that extremely well and it's not easy when you are a young lad."
In terms of the victorious manager in the title race this season, Law finds it hard to see beyond Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
"I would say it will be between Arsenal and United, but so many things come into the equation between now and the end of the season," said Law. "If everything remains equal you would say they are the top two.
"The nice thing is they are both exciting teams who play football in the right way.
"Arsene has done extremely well, through the years he has lost some real key players and has still been able to slot people in.
"They had a bit of a dip over the last couple of years but you have to hand it to him they are back up there.
"He has created some lovely teams, and he knows he is in a battle with Manchester United."
Cristiano Ronaldo has the goalscoring record of a striker and, last night, he scored goals in the manner of one, too. This was no magician’s show, no masterclass of quick feet and dizzying technique. It did not have to be, such was Manchester United’s superiority. Even so, as Carlos Tévez experienced 90 minutes that were frustration personified and Wayne Rooney missed a sitter on his return from injury, Ronaldo gave his forward partners a lesson in the fine art of the clinical finish.
With his first, a shot from close range into the roof of the net, and his second, a powerful header, Ronaldo took his total for the season to 13, making him the most prolific scorer in the country, one ahead of Robbie Keane, the Tottenham Hotspur captain. The Ireland player is a striker by trade, however, while Ronaldo is a midfield player who scores, although there could soon be a demarcation dispute if he carries on like this. Last season he found the net 23 times, against Fulham he passed beyond the halfway stage for that total with three weeks to go before Christmas. Even in a team who create as many chances as United, it is a stunning achievement.
Ronaldo missed out on the European Footballer of the Year crown at the weekend, beaten by Kaká, of AC Milan, and the same result is expected at the world event, but in the domestic game his supremacy is unsurpassed. Cesc Fàbregas was in brilliant form for Arsenal until his hamstring injury, but if Ronaldo scores 30 goals from midfield for his club — and that is his trajectory at present — who would bet against him retaining the title of domestic Footballer of the Year?
Ignore his booking for diving. The referee, Rob Styles, made an embarrassing error and will no doubt realise his foolishness the moment he watches a replay. Ronaldo was caught by Antti Niemi, the Fulham goalkeeper, as he ran through one-on-one and the correct decision would have been to give a penalty. Even if there had been no contact, the nature of Niemi’s challenge meant that Ronaldo had to jump high to avoid a collision and he should have been indulged for that, at least. To place an accusation of fakery against a man, the referee should be absolutely sure. Styles appeared to be acting on no more than a hunch, and a rotten one at that, and it was no surprise that Sir Alex Ferguson was deeply unimpressed.
“It was the result of the referee having a perceived idea that Ronaldo dives,” the United manager said. “He is not like that any more, he is a mature, magnificent footballer, but he is paying for this reputation.
“In fairness to the referee, though, the goalkeeper conned him. He claimed straight away that Ronaldo dived; they all do it. It was a ridiculous decision. He was going on goal full pelt — why would he dive anyway?”
Styles sent Ronaldo off in May 2004 at Villa Park for kicking the ball away, a point that was not lost on the player, although he was dignified in accepting the decision. “I was trying to do my job, he was trying to do his job and I respect that,” he said. “My feeling was that it was a penalty, but it was not the important thing tonight. The important thing was three points.”
These were secured by Ronaldo, naturally. Such was United’s control of the game, he had it won from the tenth minute, when Fulham made a dreadful mess of clearing a corner from Ryan Giggs, Steven Davis heading the ball back into the penalty area after Dejan Stefanovic had cleared it. Nemanja Vidic headed it on, at which point Ronaldo grew tired of the whole haphazard process and lashed the ball past Niemi, almost impatiently.
The clincher came after 58 minutes when John O’Shea, the United substitute, crossed from the left and Ronaldo rose above a less-than-alert Stefanovic to head the ball into the corner of the net. It would have been a routine goal coming from a striker; that it was the work of a player whose gift is at its greatest when the ball is on the ground demonstrated what sets Ronaldo apart from his peers. Well, all but one of them, anyway, according to the football writers of Europe.
Ferguson complained that United missed an uncommon number of chances and, on that front, it was hard to disagree. Tévez, alone, could have added six goals to the scoreline, even before half-time. Time and again, he carved Fulham open, only to be frustrated by a storming turn from Niemi or a failing in the execution. It would be harsh to be too tough on the Argentina striker, though. For long periods, he was the most exciting player on the field.
It would be too time-consuming to recount his misses in full, so here is the potted version: heads wide at full stretch from a cross by Anderson (three minutes); low shot saved after a one-two with Wes Brown (5); shot blocked by Stefanovic after good work by Giggs and Rooney (7); brilliant stop by Niemi after a cross by Giggs, Tévez’s near-post header striking him in the face (22); header wide after Fulham failed to clear another corner by Giggs (32); curling, inswinging shot from an acute angle, forcing an athletic save from Niemi (45).
Tévez was not at fault for the two second-half errors in front of goal, however, which fell to Rooney and Louis Saha, the substitute, left one-on-one with the goalkeeper without success. “It was a reasonable performance, but too many chances were missed,” Ferguson said. “We’re usually better than that because we were left with the goalkeeper quite a few times and did nothing with it.”
Perhaps as surprising as United’s failure was the short spell when Fulham could have equalised. Danny Murphy twice came close with shots and Shefki Kuqi headed a good chance over.
Not a night for strikers, then. Not much of a night for the referee. If only everything was as reliable as Ronaldo.
Manchester United’s Ronaldo tops Google ‘I hate’ searches
It may not be the finest accolade Cristiano Ronaldo ever receives, but the light-loafered midfielder has this week been revealed as one of the most searched for people in the UK this year on Google… in the ‘I hate’ category.
Don't you just hate him?The greasy haired, fleet-footed, dive-happy, lady-loving, torso-tastic (that’s enough – Ed) Man U magician may be a god amongst the Old Trafford faithful, but he’s clearly reviled by every single other human being that happens to live in the UK.
Google revealed this startling social maxim on Monday, when it published its most popular searches of 2007, or in Ronaldo’s case most unpopular.
The phrase ‘I hate Ronaldo’ took the honours in its field, beating the ever reliable ‘I hate men’ into second place and ‘I hate school’ into third.
In other anthropological gems uncovered by the Google-meisters, we also want ‘pants’ more than anything else (including world peace, zero pollution and ‘a successful Capital of Culture year for Liverpool, please God’), whereas ‘I love techno’ came out a bizarre second in the ‘I love’ searches.
‘I love How-Do’ supposedly came in a respectable 12th in that particular search, but then that could be because we apparently share the name with an American flesh site.
Not that that was Nick’s idea to boost visitor numbers or anything, oh no, not at all…
MANCHESTER, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and Manchester United beat Fulham 2-0 on Monday to reclaim second place in the English Premier League.
Ronaldo, who finished second to AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Kaka for European Golden Ball award on Sunday, scored in the 10th and 58th minutes at Old Trafford to increase his season total to 13 goals in 11 games. It also gave him six in his last four appearances against Fulham.
United's 10th victory of the season gave it 33 points from 15 matches, moving it back in front of Chelsea and Liverpool -- both of which won over the weekend -- and three points behind Arsenal.
Arsenal, which is unbeaten with 11 wins and three draws, could move six points ahead with a victory at Newcastle on Wednesday in a rescheduled match.
Monday's loss left 14th-placed Fulham two points above the relegation zone.
Wayne Rooney returned after missing three matches for United -- as well as two England -- with an ankle injury and partnered Carlos Tevez in attack.
United took only 10 minutes to go ahead when Fulham midfielder Steven Davis, attempting to a clear a corner, headed it to Nemanja Vidic who set up an unmarked Ronaldo for a 12-meter volley.
As the home side maintained the early possession, Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi twice was forced into dramatic saves to thwart Tevez.
Nieme's United counterpart, Edwin van der Sar, likewise made a diving save against his former club to deny Danny Murphy, and Shefki Kuqi headed wide four minutes before halftime.
Ronaldo added the second in the 58th minute when he got ahead of Fulham defender Aaron Hughes to meet a cross from John O'Shea and converted with a downward header.
Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez responded by inserting former United striker David Healy for Clint Dempsey to field two strikers.
Ronaldo appeared certain to score a third with 12 minutes remaining when he appeared to get past Niemi. But he went down under the goalkeeper's challenge only to be shown the yellow card for a dive.
FIFA have named Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil's Kaka and Argentina's Lionel Messi as the three finalists for the 2007 world soccer player of the year award.
The world body said the trio were confirmed after a poll of coaches and captains of national teams around the world selected them from a 30-strong shortlist.
The winner, who will succeed Fabio Cannavaro of Italy and Real Madrid from last year's competition, will be announced at the FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich on Dec 17.
If Kaka gets the nod it is likely to mean a double triumph, with the Brazilian set to be named winner of the Ballon d'Or on Sunday.
Kaka was the inspiration behind AC Milan's Champions League success last season, finishing top scorer in the competition with 10 goals.
The 25-year-old opted to sit out the Copa America but he was hardly missed, as Brazil went on to take the trophy with a 3-0 victory over Argentina in the final.
Messi was in the Argentina side that lost that match.
The Barcelona forward, still only 20, missed out on the Spanish title last season - won by Real Madrid. Among the highlights of his year was the hat-trick he scored in a 3-3 draw with Real in the Primera Liga.
Ronaldo, 22, led Manchester United to the Premier League title last season, scoring 17 league goals.
He also helped United reach the semifinals of the Champions League, where they lost to Milan.
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo is on a three-man shortlist for Fifa's world player of the year award. The 22-year-old Portugal winger is up against AC Milan's Brazilian star Kaka, who is the favourite, and Argentine Lionel Messi, who plays for Barcelona.
It is the first time any of the trio have been shortlisted for the award, which was won by Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro in 2006.
The award will be made at Fifa's world player gala in Zurich on 17 December.
If Ronaldo wins he will be the first player from an English club to claim the award.
The award is voted for by the managers and captains of the national teams of Fifa's member countries.
well, i do know many people think the fifa awards are a joke, but i can't help being pleased to know that cristiano is on the three-man shortlist Smiley i guess kaka is going to land this one too, so i'm not keeping my hopes up. 2nd place would be decent i guess.
SIR ALEX FERGUSON believes Cristiano Ronaldo will be worthy of the honour of becoming Manchester United’s first European Footballer of the Year for nearly 40 years.
Ronaldo is joint favourite with AC Milan’s Brazilian Kaka for the Ballon D’Or which will be announced this weekend ahead of the awards ceremony in Paris tomorrow evening. United are ready to hire a private jet to fly him out to the French capital and back tomorrow in order to keep him fresh for Monday’s Premier League clash against Fulham.
Ferguson believes Ronaldo’s achievements for United and Portugal deserve to see him follow in the footsteps of the club’s previous winners of the prestigious prize, the ‘holy trinity’ of Denis Law (1964), Bobby Charlton (1966) and George Best (1968). The United boss said: “Cristiano is definitely one of the best players in the world, there is no question of that, and he has had a fantastic year at club and international level. He must have some chance of winning and it would be tremendous for the boy.
“He puts in so much practice in his drive to be at the top of his profession. He doesn’t really need any endorsements from me. I have said time and again that he is a marvellous player and he gets all the endorsements he needs with his performances. “His improvement can be measured in two ways. His decision-making is very good now as opposed to when he was a young kid. And his goalscoring record has improved each year, which is a terrific sign.
“He influences games not only for us but for Portugal. He has a phenomenal goalscoring record for his country – it is almost one in every two games, which is an amazing record for a young player. He has already got 11 goals for us this season and we’ve only just reached December. That augurs well that he can go on and beat last season’s tally of 23.”
United director Charlton said Ferguson’s side would not be Premier League champions without Ronaldo. “Ronaldo’s influence in United winning the title was decisive,” said Charlton. “He changed the course of matches all by himself.” The Golden Ball, organised by French magazine France Football, is open for the first time to any player on earth, not only in Europe.
Charlton said: “It was in 2007 that he really imposed himself at the front of the stage and became this source of inspiration not just in England or Portugal but elsewhere.
He has this something that distinguishes a Golden Ball winner from simply a super player. I will be accused of nepotism, of course, because he is one of our players.
“But the kid you see kicking a ball in the street dreams he is Cristiano Ronaldo and not only in Manchester. He wants to dribble, shoot and score like him.” Ronaldo is also on a shortlist of three with Kaka and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi for FIFA’s world player of the year award.
And he will be back in tandem in United’s attack with Wayne Rooney, who will return from an ankle injury against Fulham on Monday. Gary Neville is set to make his first-team comeback after an eight-month injury lay-off in the Champions League group game against Roma on December 12.
That match was rendered meaningless by United’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, which Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez believes has given him a clue to a successful raid on Old Trafford.
Sanchez is convinced the only way Fulham can get anything from the visit is to launch an all-out attack from the off. “If you sit back against them you will get what you deserve so you have to go and make a game of it,” said Sanchez. “Sporting showed you can get at them and I will set my team up to have a go.”
CRISTIANO RONALDO admits he is honoured to be mentioned in the same breath as Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona.
The comparisons flowed again as the Portuguese star chose the 15th anniversary of Cantona’s arrival at Manchester United to score his latest wonder goal — the stoppage-time winner against Sporting Lisbon.
The hottest topic among United fans is how Ronaldo is able to turn a game in an instant with a flash of genius, just as ‘Eric the King’ did in his mid-1990s heyday.
Ronaldo, 22, is well aware of Cantona’s Old Trafford legacy — and is doing his best to live up to it. His sensational free-kick in the 2-1 win over his former Sporting team-mates was his 11th goal of the season and his ninth in the last eight games.
And after scoring 23 times in United’s Premiership-winning campaign last season, his value to Alex Ferguson’s team is clear to see.
Ronaldo said: “It’s great to be compared with a player of Cantona’s reputation because he was so important for United.
“Cantona was a great player, a fantastic player. I’ve seen tapes of him playing for United in the past and I enjoy watching him a lot because he was such a fantastic footballer.
“I met him when we were doing an advert for Nike called ‘The Secret Tournament’ when there were a lot of players in a cage with Eric as the ringmaster. And we’ve done other adverts together since then.
"He’s a great guy and I enjoyed meeting him. I know what he meant to United and what he helped achieve in his time at the club.
Different style
“I’m a big fan of Cantona, not just because of what he achieved as a player, but because of the person he is.
“He always speaks well about the United team and the players. It is an honour to be talked about alongside him.
“But every player is different. Cantona had a different style to me, I have a different style to him. But it’s great to be compared with him. Things like that give me extra motivation to work hard and become a better player.”
Ronaldo already works hard enough on every aspect of his game, including free-kicks like the one which guaranteed United top spot in Group F, regardless of the result of their final game away to Roma on December 12.
That will allow Ferguson the luxury of resting a host of key players ahead of the Premier League clash with Liverpool four days later.
Ronaldo confessed that, in training, he regularly strikes the ball as cleanly as he did against Sporting — but rarely manages it in big matches.
So that goal felt even more special, even though it sunk his Portuguese pals.
He added: “It was a great free-kick, and it was amazing to score like that so late in he game. I was very happy because I work so hard on free-kicks in training.
"I work hard to become a good player and I’ve improved a lot. I want to be a better player every season and I think I’m doing that at the moment. But I will never stop trying to improve even more.”
United’s stand-in keeper Tomasz Kuszczak joined the Ronaldo fan club after his stunning winner.
The Polish stopper, 25, was caught napping when the Portuguese side opened the scoring through Abel’s swerving shot from way out on the touchline.
Kuszczak, who has had few chances to impress as Edwin Van der Sar’s deputy, said: “I felt really good to be playing again — and then the mistake happened.
“That is the sort of thing that happens in football. But the important thing was that we still won the game.
“I have to thank Ronaldo for that. He is a special player who can do special things for the team. Everyone knows what a great player he is and he showed it again.
“I felt a lot better when he scored, so after the game I ran to congratulate him. I was very happy for him and even more happy for me.
“He won the game in the final minutes and that is what everyone remembers — not my mistake so much.
“I still have a 100 per cent record in the Champions League after four games and I am proud of that. It’s been a great experience for me but, of course, I want to play many more games.
“It was my first mistake at Manchester United and I hope it’s the last one. Sometimes things happen which you don’t expect but that’s football.”
source: thesun.co.uk
it means hes doing well when hes compared to Cantona, that is like the pinnacle of every United player i imagine, to be compared to Cantona, as he was voted our best ever player years ago.
hes right though, every player is diffrent, Cantona played as a support striker, where as Cristiano plays as a winger, of course they are similair in some ways in terms of skill and and just the mystic surrounding them, aswell as the confidence/arrogance, Cris probably has more pace then Cantona did.
Cristiano can build his own legacy and legend, like helping us win the Champion's League, something Cantona has never won. Grin it's like the one-trophy he needs to be in-mortal and win every trophy at club level.
Fifteen years to the day after Eric Cantona walked into Old Trafford with the swagger that helped transform Manchester United from nearly men to English football's dominant force, Cristiano Ronaldo paid homage to the Frenchman with a magic moment of his own to confirm top spot in Group F with a stunning injury-time free-kick against the club that set him on the road to stardom.
All that was missing was the upturned collar, but Ronaldo's celebration, a knowing look and a shrug of the shoulders, was pure Cantona.
While Cantona's powers ultimately proved impotent in the Champions League, however, Ronaldo's fifth goal in five European games this season underlined the belief that his talents will not be found wanting as United attempt to add a third European Cup to their honours list.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "It was a truly excellent goal, a marvellous strike, but he has done it many times before. Ronaldo works very hard for moments like that. He was only 18 when he came to us from Sporting and that was a disadvantage in Europe, but he is maturing and does what we expect him to do now. He certainly has the ability to score goals, though, and he can do even better than last season."
With two minutes of stoppage time played, Ronaldo had no margin for error when he placed the ball for a direct free-kick 30 yards out after a foul on Anderson.
Anything but a goal would have left United needing to avoid defeat against Roma in the Stadio Olimpico on Dec 12 to be certain of top spot and a place among the seeded teams in the last 16, yet the pressure to deliver was nothing to the Portuguese forward and he secured the victory with a swerving strike that will make the trip to Rome nothing more than an exercise in squad rotation.
Ronaldo said: "It was a fabulous goal. I did not celebrate when I scored against Sporting in Lisbon, but this goal was different and I am very happy because it is always important to win and top the group."
Despite Ferguson's pre-match assertion that his team would keep their foot firmly on the pedal in order to claim the victory that would clinch the group, United's Champions League history is littered with insipid performances once qualification to the knock-out stages has been secured, and their first-half display was on a par with previous low points against Fenerbahce and Maccabi Haifa. United were surprisingly beaten on both those occasions, conceding top spot in the group when losing to Fenerbahce in 2004, so Ferguson's determination to claim three points against Sporting was borne out of painful experience.
Playing for the top position and fighting for Champions League survival are two hugely different objectives, however, and the urgency that United lacked was present in every tackle, shot and pass made by Paulo Bento's players.
An already-qualified Croatia may have played like men possessed against England at Wembley last week, but United displayed no such desire in the early stages.
Joao Moutinho sent a 25-yard effort narrowly wide of Tomasz Kuszczak's right-hand post as Sporting went close with 12 minutes on the clock and, after Louis Saha had wasted a clear chance following a Ronaldo flick seven minutes later, Bento's team took the lead with a goal that would have left United's Polish goalkeeper suffering that Scott Carson feeling.
Miguel Veloso's pass to Abel on the right flank posed no obvious threat to United, but Abel spotted a sizeable gap between Kuszczak and his near post and the midfielder scored with a bewitching effort from a demanding angle with the outside of his right foot.
Trailing at half-time and with Roma already 3-0 ahead against Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine, United had to raise their game after the break if they were to take the sting out of the trip to Rome and the introduction of Carlos Tevez and Ryan Giggs injected purpose into United's play.
But with Saha continuing to perform like a player shorn of fitness and confidence, Ferguson's team lacked an obvious cutting edge.
The energy of Tevez and Ronaldo posed Sporting problems, but it was not until Tevez diverted Ronaldo's miscued shot into the net after 61 minutes that United seriously threatened the Sporting goal.
At 1-1, top place in the group was still not secured and Ronaldo, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick all saw chances go begging before Ronaldo delivered his killer blow.
With the group safely negotiated, Ferguson admitted that he will not waste the luxury of being able to rest key men in Rome next month.
He said: "We have a game at Liverpool four days after Rome, so I will certainly use all of my squad against Roma. One or two players won't even travel, but we will still try to win the game."
Cristiano Ronaldo's late strike gave Manchester United victory against Sporting Lisbon to ensure they finish top of their Champions League group.
Ronaldo fired in a superb injury-time free-kick to sink battling Sporting and take the pressure off United for their final group game away to AS Roma.
Abel beat Tomasz Kuszczak at his near post to put Sporting ahead early on.
But substitute Carlos Tevez levelled from close range on the hour to set up Ronaldo's grandstand finish.
United will now get a more favourable draw in the last 16 knockout stages after topping Group F.
Ronaldo was restored to their starting line-up after the defeat at Bolton - but he had little impact on a low-key first 45 minutes.
He did create one chance for Louis Saha with a brilliant flick after 18 minutes, but the striker pulled his shot wide.
Sporting took the lead in bizarre circumstances three minutes later when Abel's speculative shot from near the touchline caught out Kuszczak and flew in at his near post.
They could have added a second almost instantly, but Liedson's finish was ruled out for offside - a marginal decision at best.
As United struggled to maintain any attacking rhythm, Sporting were shooting on sight and Anderson Polga shocked Kuszczak with a snap-shot that the keeper held at the second attempt.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made a double substitution at half-time, sending on Tevez and Ryan Giggs for Nani and Darren Fletcher.
Giggs almost created an equaliser for United after 58 minutes when Nemanja Vidic met his corner but headed just wide.
United did not have long to wait to restore equality, levelling on the hour when Ronaldo's shot was deflected in off a combination of Tevez and Sporting defender Marian Had.
Tevez then set up Ronaldo for a fierce angled drive, but his effort was well blocked by Sporting keeper Rui Patricio.
Owen Hargreaves was introduced with 12 minutes left, and he almost scored with only his second touch, forcing another fine save out of the impressive Patricio from Anderson's pass.
But with time running out and United looking like they might need something from their trip to Roma to win their group, Ronaldo fired in a brilliant swerving free-kick to seal the win.
Man Utd: Kuszczak, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher (Tevez 46), Nani (Giggs 46), Saha (Hargreaves 79). Subs Not Used: Van der Sar, Brown, Pique, Simpson.
Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo says all he wants is a quiet life and enough cash to buy a few candles.
The Man United star - who reportedly invited 5 escort girls to a bash at his £3 million home earlier this month - says he would much rather have a quiet evening in than go on a boozy night out.
'Many people have images of footballers as people who like to go out all the time, spend their money lavishly and like to date many women,' he tells Hello!
'But I don't drink alcohol, I hate smoking and I'm not a big spender. I live in a rural part of Cheshire, where squirrels, birds and cows are my closest neighbours.'
Cristiano, 22, isn't the least bit interested in wild parties around the Jacuzzi.
'Much of time is spent at home, with my friends and family,' he insists. 'I enjoy to be peaceful and often sit by candlelight to relax. Tranquillity is important to me.'
Sir Alex had no choice but to leave out Cristiano Ronaldo and Nemanja Vidic for the Reds' trip to Bolton on Saturday.
The pair now face a race against time to be fit for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon.
Fans were puzzled Portuguese winger Ronaldo was nowhere to be seen at the Reebok Stadium, whle Nemanja Vidic also missed the match through injury.
“Ronaldo had a little strain on the inside of his thigh and Nemanja [Vidic] missed Serbia's game on Wednesday while on international duty,” United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV. “We’ll see what they are like for Tuesday but they were not fit for Saturday.”
Even without Ronaldo, Vidic and other stars like Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes, Sir Alex believed United still had a good enough squad to beat Bolton.
“I think we had enough players to win that game, there's no question about that,” he said. “But Bolton did make a lot of chances and they worked really hard for their victory. You cannot deny them that.
“We didn't make enough chances to say we deserved to win the game. If we had scored we would probably have won it but we needed to score.”
While obviously disappointed with the result, Ferguson urged his players to bounce back immediately.
“We have to react to losing the game. It’s in the history and nature of our club and we have the right set of players to do that.”
i hope hes back soon! no wonder he wasn't at the game, with a thigh strain you have to rest.
i don't think it's bad though as didn't he go out after the Portugal game where hes ment to have got it from? he should be fit for Tuesday or deffo next weekend.
A trio of Portuguese stars have declared that the Selecção das Quinas are in with a great chance of winning Euro 2008 after securing qualification last night...
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured) has named Portugal as one of the favourites for the Euro 2008 crown.
The 2004 hosts secured qualification for the Austria-Switzerland tournament last night after drawing 0-0 at home to Finland, with the attacking midfielder in mixed moods after the game.
He told PortuGOAL.net, "All our players should have ambition to lift trophies. I think we can win the European Championships. We have great players, a great structure and we have to think positive. We’re going to be at our best in the finals."
However, he seemed to indicate that the pressure of the fanbase was beginning to play a major role in the dynamics of the team, who failed to score in Porto.
"This team is at the level we have accustomed the public to over recent years," he began.
"We have achieved a lot of great things. Now, whenever things go wrong people start criticising straight away, but we have to get used to that. But I think in one way this is positive."
Atletico Madrid midfielder Maniche added, "We had some tough times this campaign but we’ve managed to get through it.
"Nowadays, there are no easy games. We did not have one single simple game in this qualification. But today we played well, helped each other and the only thing lacking was a goal.
"Some young players are coming into the team that have a lot of quality. They’ve shown it at club level and now they are showing it for the national team."
Real Madrid defender Pepe then concluded, "I’m delighted. I’m very happy with the way I was received by the fans and would like to thank the support of the crowd.
"It was a game in which we suffered a little, but that makes it all the more satisfying [to qualify]. But we deserved to win this match.
"This squad is fantastic and we deserve congratulations.
"Can we be champions? I believe so; we have very good players who respected all around Europe."
Portugal lost out in the 2004 final against Greece.
I agree, they are certainly one of the favourites, the finals in Euro 2004 and semi finalist in 2006, they have really improved over the years and are now one of the big football nations who are one of the favourites for every tournament.
I agree about fans/media/press ect expectations, when you lift expecations so high it's hard to make people happy because of the expectaincy, but in a way that's good because people expect alot (maybe too much) which is nice.
PORTO, Portugal - Portugal held Finland to a 0-0 draw Wednesday, securing a place in next year's European Championships.
The 2004 finalists threatened throughout but couldn't beat goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who denied Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma on a number of chances.
Portugal finished Group A with 27 points, while Finland - which needed a win to have any chance of reaching its first European finals - had 24.
Luiz Felipe Scolari returned to the bench after completing a two-month touchline ban imposed by UEFA for scuffling with defender Ivica Dragutinovic at the end of Portugal's 1-1 draw with Serbia in September.
With midfield playmaker Deco of FC Barcelona and Werder Bremen's Hugo Almeida among six players missing to injury, the weight of the attack fell on the shoulders of Ronaldo and Quaresma.
Scolari also handed Pepe his first start after the Real Madrid defender recovered from injury.
Ronaldo responded in the 11th, the Manchester United forward's free kick stopped by Jaaskelainen.
Daniel Sjolund had Finland's best chance of the first half on the counterattack in the very next minute, but Ricardo saved.
Quaresma wasn't as sharp, however, shooting wide in the 26th then missing a chance up close in the 38th.
Quaresma hit the post in the 60th and missed again in the 81st before coming off for Nani three minutes later.
Both goalkeepers were sharp over the final period, Ricardo denying substitute Ariza Makukula in the 88th and Jaaskelainen stopping Nani two minutes into injury time as the hosts pressed.
Lineups:
Portugal: Ricardo, Jose Bosingwa, Pepe, Fernando Meira, Bruno Alves, Marco Caneira, Miguel Veloso, Maniche (Raul Meireles, 73), Ricardo Quaresma (Nani, 84), Nuno Gomes (Ariza Makukula, 77), Cristiano Ronaldo.
Finland: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Sami Hyypia, Toni Kallio, Petri Pasanen, Hannu Tihinen, Markus Heikkinen, Joonas Kolkka (Jonatan Johansson, 75), Jari Litmanen (Mika Vayraminen, 67), Daniel Sjolund, Teemu Tainio (Alexei Eremenko Jr., 69), Mikael Forssell.
CRISTIANO Ronaldo has received a huge boost in his bid to be named as World Footballer of the Year - the backing of one of his main rivals for the award, Kaka.
The United ace is one of five Reds among the 50 nominees for the Ballon d'Or, the most prestigious prize an individual footballer can win, and which will be announced on December 2.
And he is among the favourites after last year inspiring United to the Premier League title and to the semi-finals of the Champions League, and guiding Portugal to the World Cup semi-finals.
The award, which used to be known as European Footballer of the Year until its scope was widened last year, depends on a poll of 96 football writers worldwide.
But AC Milan's Brazilian superstar Kaka has already said that if he had a vote, it would go to his rival, saying: "I would vote for Cristiano as the best in the world.
"It is not just for his quality, but also as he has been able to do so well with Portugal. Lionel Messi is also a great player, but he has not won any titles this year."
Award
The award, presented by the magazine France Football, originated 51 years ago when Stanley Matthews first won it.
Since then, only three United players have lifted it, with George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton all winning it in the 1960s - Best was the last to win it after helping the Reds to glory in the 1968 European Cup final.
The only United players to have come close in the past 38 years were Eric Cantona, who finished third in the 1993 poll, and David Beckham, who came second in 1999.
Illustrious names to have won the title include Johann Cruyff, Marco van Basten and Michel Platini, the only three men to have won it three times, as well as Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane, Ruud Gullit, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, Eusebio and Alfredo di Stefano.
But Ronaldo is expected to fight it out with Kaka and Barcelona's Argentinian ace Lionel Messi for this year's award, which for the first time gives the vote to 43 journalists from outside Europe.
Among Ronaldo's rivals are four United team-mates, with Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Carlos Tevez all nominated - only Barcelona, who have seven nominees, have more.
