Ronaldo: Cantona Comparison Is Flattering

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.

Cristiano Ronaldo rescues Manchester United

Manchester United (0) 2 Sporting Lisbon (1) 1

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 2-1 Sporting Lisbon

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.

Booked: Ronaldo, Evra.

Goals: Tevez 61, Ronaldo 90.

Sporting Lisbon: Rui Patricio, Abel, Anderson Polga, Tonel, Had, Izmailov (Bruno Pereirinha 81), Joao Moutinho, Romagnoli (Vukcevic 67), Veloso, Purovic (Farnerud 81), Liedson.
Subs Not Used: Tiago, Adrien Silva, Gladstone, Yannick Pupo.

Booked: Had, Anderson Polga.

Goals: Abel 22.

Att: 75,162.

Ref: Claus Bo Larsen (Denmark).

Cristiano Ronaldo: I hate smoking, I don't drink and I'm not a big spender

Footy star is a bit of a geek


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.'

Boss: I had to rest Ron

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.

Ronaldo: Portugal Can Win Euro 2008

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.

KAKA: RONALDO IS EUROPE'S BEST

Brilliant Brazilian playmaker Kaka believes Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in Europe at present.

The AC Milan player is hot favourite to win the European Footballer of the Year award, which is handed out by magazine France Football next month.

But Kaka has paid a glowing tribute to Ronaldo.

"He is the best, not only for his technical ability, but also for what he has done with Portugal," said Kaka to Italian media on Sunday.

As for the future, the 25-year-old dreams of captaining Brazil when his country host the 2014 World Cup.

"In 2014, I will still be playing and it would be a marvellous experience to be captain of our national team," he said.

Portugal qualifies for Euro 2008 with draw

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.

Ronaldo finds world at his feet

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.

Ronaldo Hits Back At Portuguese Public

Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at the Portuguese public after they heckled the team’s 1-0 home win over Armenia.

Hugo Almeida spared Portugal’s blushes with the only goal of a poor contest, leaving Luis Felipe Scolari’s men needing just one point to qualify for Euro 2008.

The performance did not sit well with the home fans, who displayed their frustration at the final whistle – but Ronaldo insists results are the only thing on his mind.

"For me it is a pain to receive critics in Portugal when playing for the national team," he said.

"I do not understand the attitude of the fans in Leiria but that is the way it is between the supporters in my country.

“We are not machines and it is not always possible to win the matches with style on the field.

“But I prefer to play a bad match and win than the opposite.

“Now we need a point against Finland but the team are not thinking of the draw.

“It is impossible to play safe so our only objective is the three points."


i agree with him, supporters need to understand players are not machines, they can't play with style all the time, winning is the most important thing, at the end of the day what would supporters want, to play with style and lose or with no style and win? i'd much rather win because i know the style will come eventually.

Ronaldo training

Man Utd's Ronaldo roars: C'mon England!

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo admits he's desperate to see England qualify for Euro2008.

Ronaldo said: "I want England to qualify for Euro 2008.

"I want England and Portugal to be there because it would be for the good of the game and every fan wants the big teams at major tournaments.

"But most of all, I would want to play England again because it would be sensational after the spectacle at the last World Cup.

"The story with Rooney in the World Cup is forgotten. "We are good friends, but I insist that I would never change my attitude.

"I would always do anything for Portugal when I play a game for my country."

Cristiano Ronaldo training 14.11.07

He will "Save" Portugal........i'm sure...you'll See...

Cristiano Ronaldo made dying girl's final wish come true

Footballer met with terminally ill cancer patient

Cristiano Ronaldo made a little girl's dream come true when he met her at a football match.

The hunky footballer agreed to chat with the terminally ill 12-year-old when she visited the Manchester United team – and says he's proud that he fulfilled one of her final wishes.

'She had cancer and knew she was going to die,' he says.

'When I was introduced to her I was unable to ignore the sparkle in her eyes. She gave me her hand. I kissed her on the cheek and gave her a big strong hug.'

But Cristiano, 22, admits that his eyes filled with tears when he later found out she had passed away – and says he still thinks about her to this day.

'These are the things that affect me the most leaving deep scars in me,' he tells Hello!

'I said goodbye to her with a broken heart, but returned her happy smile. I had been able to make on of her dreams come true. At that moment she was happy.'

Ronaldo aims to leave greatness mark on football history

Cristiano Ronaldo has underlined his ambition to become the best player in the world.

Ronaldo is in the running for the most prestigious award any player can receive, the Ballon d'Or - the former European Footballer of the Year award which has been rebranded as World Footballer of the Year.

And the Manchester United winger admits he is determined to 'leave his mark on football history'.

Dream

"My ambition has always to be the best," Ronaldo revealed in his latest DVD - The Boy Who Had a Dream.

"I have always said that I don't have a job, I have a blessing from God because this is what I love best. And if this is what I love best then what I want most is to be the best.

"I dream of it often, I want to leave my mark on football history and if I can keep things up, if I am humble and always willing to learn, then one day I could do it."

Ronaldo also looked back at the 2006 World Cup when he was vilified for his role in Wayne Rooney's sending off as Portugal knocked England out.

No regrets

"If it happened now I'd do the same thing all over again," he insisted.

"I'm representing my country, my nation, my colours.

"What I did was perfectly normal. Lots of people wanted me to be the scapegoat for something because maybe they expected more from England, I don't know, I don't want to speculate.

"I remember after the game Rooney came up to me and said 'Keep it up, you guys have an excellent team, just keep going, you're doing well.'

"I have always been really good friends with him, he sent me messages after the game and I have never had any sort of problem with him.

"Everyone in this industry likes to incite trouble or controversy - my relationship with Wayne is very good."


it's good he has these ambitions, if you don't want to be the best you shouldn't be playing football imo.

Cris will be the best if he wins the Champion's League like Kaka did (imo he was better then Kaka last season but Kaka won the Champion's League which this award seems to be measured on, Champion's League or World Cup), and score a number of goals in the Champion's League and Premiership, aswell as assists.

basically he just needs to continue the way hes playing and help us win the Champion's League and/or Premier League.

it's good he has no regrets, everything happends for a reason, theres pros and cons for everything that happends, it's made him a better person and better mentally.

Fergie: I'd only bet with Ronaldo about goals if the target is 50!

Fergie: I'd only bet with Ronaldo about goals if the target is 50!
« on: Today at 09:26:02 AM »

Sir Alex Ferguson is not interested in having a goalscoring wager with Cristiano Ronaldo this season - unless the target is 50 goals.

The Manchester United manager has lost a succession of bets with his brilliant young star, including last term's 'Scotsman's bet' when he kept raising the barrier for Ronaldo, who eventually finished on 23.

Yesterday's double against Blackburn took the 22-year-old into double figures for the season and provided he stays fit, there is no reason to believe Ronaldo will not eclipse last year's tally.

However, Ferguson has no desire to lose any more cash and will not be asking the Portugal winger for the opportunity to win his money back.

"I will not be attempting to bet anything with Cristiano this season unless it is 50 goals," he laughed. "Somehow I don't think he would accept that."

A more productive gamble might be on Ronaldo getting a much-prized United hat-trick.

While he has now scored twice on 10 occasions, the former Sporting Lisbon player is yet to hit a three-timer and could not manage it against Blackburn yesterday despite the light-hearted promptings of Rio Ferdinand.

"In the second half I told Cristiano, he either had to score a hat-trick or get an assist to make it a really good game," Ferdinand said.

"He has been fantastic in the last few games and is determined to become a top player for many years.

"He works hard in training and you see the results out on the pitch. Long may that continue."

The victory, United's ninth in 10 games, swept them back to the Barclays Premier League summit ahead of Arsenal, who tackle Reading at the Madejski Stadium this evening.

Even though the Gunners have two games in hand, with Bolton, Fulham and Derby as their next three opponents, Ferguson's men will feel confident of maintaining their triumphant streak until the middle of December, when they tackle Liverpool at Anfield.

As a United legend, Hughes would presumably hope for that outcome too and he confirmed his old club have a great chance of defending their championship.

"United are a very good team, with strength, pace and power in all areas," he said.

"Those qualities, allied with outstanding skill, make them a very difficult team to overcome. They are the current champions and they will go close again I am sure."

After building an impressive team of his own at Ewood Park, Hughes is among the most obvious replacements for Ferguson when the United boss does decide to stand down.

Not that Ferguson welcomes the debate. Firstly, the Scot does not believe it is fair to the potential successors for the matter to keep being raised. Secondly, he has no intention of going anywhere.

"Whenever we play a team managed by one of my former players, the subject crops up," said Ferguson, who has spent 21 years in charge and will celebrate his 66th birthday on New Year's Eve.

"It is a little bit unfair - it is almost as if I am being shoved out of the door quicker than I want.

"But I am fit and healthy and as long as I stay that way, I want to carry on."

source: dailymail.co.uk

LoL

50 goals mite be impossible for even Cristiano! Wink

i hope Ferguson stays on for awhile yet, hes a great manager to Cristiano. Grin

Ronaldo double sends United clear

Cristiano Ronaldo took over where Wayne Rooney left off as Manchester United continued their impressive assault on the English Premier League title with a 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford on Sunday.

With Rooney out for at least four weeks following an ankle injury sustained in training on Friday, United's rivals had clung to the hope that the absence of the in-form England centre-forward might provide Sir Alex Ferguson with problems. However, two goals in as many minutes from the Portuguese winger in the first half were a remarkable testimony to the strength in depth currently available to the United manager as he embarks upon his 22nd year in charge of the club.

Frenchman Louis Saha was handed a starting role by Ferguson, partnering Carlos Tevez in attack, although he turned in an underwhelming performance that suggested he may not be the long-term answer to Rooney's absence. But with Ronaldo showing such an unerring eye for goal, and taking his season tally to six in just nine league starts in the process, United had little cause for concern.

Ronaldo, himself, won the 33rd minute corner that led to the opening goal with a left-foot shot that deflected off David Dunn and missed the Blackburn goal by inches. Ryan Giggs' resulting corner kick found Ronaldo whose powerful header was helped into his own goal by David Bentley, covering on the line.

United's next attack doubled their lead as Rio Ferdinand's long pass was helped into the path of Tevez by Saha. As the Reds broke furiously upfield, Tevez's far post cross was met by Ronaldo who finished magnificently, albeit with the help of a touch from keeper Brad Friedel. The two goal salvo was tough justice on returning United hero Mark Hughes and his Rovers side who, like his former club, have enjoyed a solid start to the season.

The afternoon may have panned out altogether differently had Christopher Samba not been denied by the woodwork with a tremendous blast from 22 yards, after Ronaldo had been caught in possession by Dunn. But Hughes' hopes of preventing United's progress disappeared early in the second half when his team was reduced to ten men as Dunn collected his second bookable offence, a yellow card for fouling Saha following a first half caution for a hack at Tevez.

In truth, the 53rd minute dismissal probably had little bearing on an outcome that had already been decided by Ronaldo's flurry. Even before his two goal burst, Ronaldo had signalled a warning of his intent with a shot that Bentley cleared off the line from a Giggs corner while Tevez had busied himself in the opening exchanges with some testing runs.

Rovers might have earned a lifeline late in the first half when Morten Gamst Pedersen found Bentley in the area, only for the highly-rated winger to plant a weak shot directly into the body of Edwin van der Sar.

Soon after the restart, Giggs placed a cross-shot onto the roof of Friedel's goal while the loss of Dunn, understandably, placed the visitors under even more intense pressure. Ronaldo threatened to claim a hat-trick as his trademark trickery created space on the edge of the Rovers area and saw him unleash a venomous left-foot strike that flew just off target.

Pedersen summed up Blackburn's frustrations with a woeful strike at the keeper as he connected with a headed clearance from Nemanja Vidic and there was a late header from Samba which van der Sar scrambled off his line. But, as United toyed with their beaten visitors, there were bookings for Aaron Mokoena, Samba and Ryan Nelsen, who upended Giggs after an outrageous piece of skill from the Welshman which summed up the level of United's domination.

The victory could have been even more emphatic if not for Friedel who denied Ronaldo a first ever United hat-trick with a near post save, then dived superbly to keep out a Ferdinand shot from Tevez's 83rd minute corner.

Ronaldo sends United rivals a warning

Cristiano Ronaldo has warned Manchester United's Premier League rivals that the champions are only just beginning to hit their stride.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are unbeaten in nine league games and will try to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal with a victory against in-form Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford tomorrow.

With Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez in scintillating form, United look capable of destroying any opponent. They have scored four goals in five of their last six matches, but Ronaldo expects them to get even better yet.

"We have more options. We have new players, we have great quality and when you have quality you have the opportunity to score goals -- which is what the players try to do," he said. "We have better players and they want to win the Champions League and the Premier League. You have to believe."

Struggling Fulham could be forgiven for cursing their luck as they prepare to face Liverpool just three days after Rafa Benitez's side destroyed Besiktas 8-0 in the Champions League.

But it is Benitez who fears the effects of that result because he knows it would be easy for his players to rest on their laurels.

"When you are at the bottom of the table and you are still scoring goals, it means you must be dangerous in attack," Benitez said. "For us especially on the counter attack we need to be aware."

Liverpool remain unbeaten in the league but have won only one of their five home matches and that run has to end quickly if the Reds are to keep pace with Arsenal and United.

"The key for us this year is to improve at home because away I think the team has confidence," Benitez said.

Chelsea's impressive resurgence under Avram Grant is being threatened by a series of injuries to key defensive players, with goalkeeper Petr Cech the latest to be sidelined ahead of tomorrow's home match against Everton.

Grant's side have won their last four league games but midfielder Michael Essien believes captain John Terry's absence with a knee injury is stopping them reaching peak form.

"We miss him a little bit. He's one of the pillars at the back," Essien said.

Arsene Wenger expects to welcome back Kolo Toure and Tomas Rosicky from injury for Arsenal's trip to Reading.

The pair missed the midweek draw at Slavia Prague but both should feature on Monday as Wenger's side try to extend their 26-match unbeaten run.

Wenger made eight changes for the Slavia tie and French left-back Gael Clichy believes the refreshed Gunners will feel the benefits at the Madejski Stadium.

"When you play every three days, you need a rest sometimes and that was the right thing for the manager to do," he said.

Roy Keane can't wait to get a taste of one of soccer's most passionate matches today as Sunderland host local rivals Newcastle.

"It's one of the big derbies. Football people are well aware of the intensity of it," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. It means a hell of a lot to Sunderland fans and the players won't be short of commitment."

Ronaldo scores an own goal

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, MARIAH CAREY, NELLY FURTADO, CHRISTINA AGUILERA and LEONA LEWIS.

No, it’s not the line-up for G.A.Y club night’s camptastic Christmas party, but a list of CRISTIANO RONALDO’s favourite artists.

The Man U winger went to see cheesy Enrique at Manchester’s MEN Arena on Thursday night.

He is also getting mocked by his Old Trafford teammates for being obsessed with songstress Leona.

I’m told he has been listening to her hit single Bleeding Love constantly in his car and on his iPod.

Ronaldo has also been spotted shaking his booty at gigs by Nelly, Mariah and Christina in the past.

That’s when he’s not playing for Man Bag Utd, of course.

Pele picks Cristiano Ronaldo among world elite

Pele, the Brazil World Cup legend, has hailed Ronaldinho, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo as the most exciting players in modern football.

Ronaldinho, the Barcelona forward, has long been considered one of the top players on the planet, winning the Fifa World Player of the Year award in 2005 and 2006, while Kaka of AC Milan and Manchester United’s Ronaldo have seen their stock rise considerably in the past two years with a string of stunning displays both in the Champions League and their respective domestic leagues in Italy and England.

But the 67-year-old, who was speaking in Sheffield to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Sheffield FC, the world’s oldest football club, was also quick to lavish praise on French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who he describes as the best player he has seen in the past 15 years.

While hailing his majestic ability Pele also revealed his sadness about the way Zidane’s career ended when he was dismissed in the World Cup Final for a headbutt on Marco Materazzi, the Italy defender.

“There are so many good players at the moment, like Ronaldinho, Kaka and Ronaldo,” Pele said.

“But in the last 15 years the top player was Zidane, no doubt. Unfortunately it wasn’t a good ending for him and he didn’t have the control. The way he acted was bad.

“Ronaldinho has been the best after Zidane. Now we have Kaka, who has had a very good two years.”

Ronaldo: We're better this year

In-form winger Cristiano Ronaldo believes Manchester United now have a better chance of winning the Champions League than last season

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who guided the club to a dramatic European Cup win over Bayern Munich in Barcelona in 1999 and the semi-finals last season, has gone on record as saying as he would like to lift Europe's premier club competition at least one more time.

They have begun that quest well by reaching the knockout stages with two group matches still to play after Wednesday night's 4-0 victory over Dynamo Kiev.

And Ronaldo, whose goal against the Ukrainians at Old Trafford was his eighth in 10 matches in all competitions, believes this season the team could go all the way again.

"Manchester United have the opportunity to win [the Champions League] every season," said the Portugal international, who scored in the 3-2 first leg semi-final victory at home to eventual champions AC Milan last season only to see the side lose 3-0 in Italy a week later.

"You work for that but this season there is a better chance than last season.

"We have more options. We have new players, we have great quality and when you have quality you have the opportunity to score goals - which is what the players try to do.

"We have better players and they want to win the Champions League and the Premier League. You have to believe."

Wednesday's victory saw Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez both score - with defender Gerard Pique heading the opener - and their burgeoning partnership up front is one of the key factors behind United's success this season.

Rooney has nine goals in the campaign and the Argentina striker five, but it is their link-up play with each other which has caught the eye.

Ronaldo praised the pair for working hard to establish their partnership.

"The last five or six weeks they have played fantastically," he said.

"They know each other, score goals and do a fantastic job."



what do you guys think? i think we have the best chance we've had of winning the Champion's League since 99, i really beleive that, let's hope the lads don't let us down!

Slick United ease through to last 16

Manchester United FC secured their passage to the UEFA Champions League last 16 with two games to spare thanks to a 4-0 victory over FC Dynamo Kyiv. After Gerard Piqué and Carlos Tévez had found the net before the break – the first for each in the UEFA Champions League – Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo added late goals as the dominant hosts made it four wins from four and confirmed Dynamo's elimination in the process.

Strength in depth
Sir Alex had reflected before this match on the strength of his squad and the fact United were able to win so comfortably while giving an evening off to Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Owen Hargreaves bore testament to this. At the same time, it also underlined the lack of confidence in the ranks of a Dynamo side playing their first match under new coach Oleh Luzhny but who never looked like getting their first points of an ill-starred campaign.

Slow start
United started with an unfamiliar-looking back four including Daniel Simpson and Piqué – two players with ten minutes' action between them previously this term – and for the opening quarter, their play lacked its customary spark. Indeed Dynamo's Carlos Corrêa might reflect he could have done better than fire wide when allowed a clear sight of Edwin van der Sar's goal. At the other end Rooney showed some invention with a teasing ball across goal, leading to a Nani shot deflected behind, but otherwise United were making little of their abundant possession against opponents seemingly set on containment.

Opening goal
That changed with Piqué's 31st-minute opener even if it came with a slice of luck, Michael Carrick's header from a Ronaldo free-kick deflecting off the back of Tévez's head and to the Spaniard, who headed the ball back into the opposite corner. Tévez got United's second in the 37th minute, when, after winning the ball inside his own half, he raced forward, exchanged passes with Rooney and let fly. Olexandr Shovkovskiy got his hands to the ball but could not keep it out.

Chances aplenty
Although Ruslan Rotan blazed wide from close range just before the break, Sir Alex felt secure enough to remove Van der Sar in place of Tomasz Kuszczak for the second half. His faith was justified as the substitute soon made a fine stop to deny Dynamo replacement Diogo Rincón. There followed chances aplenty at both ends, not least for Tévez who could have had a hat-trick. At the other end Rincón just failed to connect with Marjan Marković's fierce cross-shot while Kuszczak denied Tiberiu Ghioane.

Rooney volley
Rooney added a third with a 76th-minute volley from Nani's cross before, in the closing moments, Ronaldo broke in from the left and found the far corner. The best Dynamo can hope for now is third place – a far cry from Luzhny's own days in the team when they were semi-finalists in 1999. That, of course, was the year Sir Alex first tasted UEFA Champions League glory and after his side's best start to a European campaign in five years he can already start planning with confidence for a renewed assault on his favourite trophy in the spring.

Piqué 31, Tévez 37, Rooney 76, Cristiano Ronaldo 88.


sance: http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1512839
sar: http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1512758
1.goal: http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1512823
sar: http://www.d1g.com/video/show/1512926
2.goal
http://www.d1g.com/video/show/1512840
3 goal: http://www.d1g.com/video/show/1513006
http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1512973
4.goal(cris) http://www.d1g.com/video/show/1513047

RONALDO FEELS THE SQUEEZE

MANCHESTER United star Cristiano Ronaldo has been warned he could be heading for his final step-over – because his footie boots are two sizes too small.

The Portuguese winger has been told he will ruin his feet if he carries on playing in size seven-and-a-half boots – as he is really a size nine.

Ronaldo, 22, who scored in yesterday’s thriller at Arsenal, reckons that wearing a smaller pair of his favourite Nike boots improves his performance.

A pal said: “Ronaldo has his boots made to order – and he insists they are a size and a half smaller than his shoe size.

“He says that helps him have better control of the ball as there is no foot movement in the boots when he runs.

“People have warned him he could do himself permanent damage – but things seem to be ok at the moment.”

But foot experts are concerned that he could do himself permanent damage, as boots – or shoes – that are too tight can cause serious, long-term problems.

These include neuromas – painful enlarged benign growths of nerves between the toes that require surgery – and sesamoiditis, which affects two small bones beneath the first metatarsals which can get inflamed or even rupture.

A source at the British Orthopaedic Association said: “He needs to do everything he can to look after his feet as they are the main tools of his trade.

“It may be working out in the short term – but in the long term there could be serious problems for Cristiano. It is always best to wear the proper size.”

Ronaldo’s mum, Dolores Aveiro, is one of those believed to have warned Ronaldo about the dangers of tight boots.

The pal confirmed: “She is a little concerned and has mentioned it.”

This is not the first time concerns have been raised this season about United stars’ boots.

Striker Wayne Rooney suffered a hairline fracture of his left foot – his third foot injury since 2004.

And there have been repeated suggestions that modern boot designs put players at greater risk of foot injuries.

But Charlie Brooks, head of corporate communications for Nike UK, said the boot Rooney had been testing was not to blame – despite claims by former Liverpool and England star Jamie Redknapp that modern “slipper” boots do not offer enough protection.

Brooks said: “Rooney himself is absolutely confident, as are we, that the boot had nothing to do with his injury.

“Nearly 20% of players in the Barclays Premier League this weekend wear this boot.”

We're the best, says Ronaldo

CRISTIANO Ronaldo believes the champions have got the edge over the Premier League leaders.

As United head into the Emirates showdown with Arsenal, last term's double Footballer of the Year is convinced the Reds shade it in terms of quality over the Gunners.

"All Arsenal's team are playing fantastically, it is not just about one or two players," said United's 22-year-old winger.

"The team has a good spirit about it. It is a young team and they all like to play. That is good.

"They have won a few important games and are playing attractive football just like us. They are very similar to us.

"At the moment we are the best two teams in the Premier League. It will be tough against them. But it is an opportunity for us. In my opinion we have the better players.

"We have to think about ourselves. We have a very good team and a good spirit. We are mature and are playing very consistently."

Meanwhile, Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson says the title holders can retain their crown but is expecting a late challenge from Chelsea and Liverpool.

"At the moment I think it's looking set to be between Arsenal and ourselves at the top," said Fergie. "When you come to January, though, and it really does start, then you expect to see Liverpool and Chelsea.

"Once the internationals get out of the road, then I think you'll find that the Premier League will settle down; we'll get a true perspective of who is going to be really challenging. "So far there have been some surprise results.

"We have had some incredible injury situations, but over the last few years we've been like that at early season with a lot of injuries.

"I pray that by the time we come to December - we have got a good strong squad together. I feel that once we get all our players together, we are capable of going on and winning the league again."

source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

i agree with him, we have the best players man for man, we'll see if the quality tells on Saturday.

hes right, we should think about ourselves not about Arsenal or Fabregas, if we play to our potential we will win i have no doubt about that.

Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Manchester United

...and he quite plays well.....