Sir Alex Ferguson last night paid Cristiano Ronaldo the ultimate tribute by claiming he is now as good as football legends Maradona and George Best.
Ronaldo has enhanced his reputation as the No.1 player in the world with 34 goals this season, drawing comparisons with Manchester United legend Best.
And now United boss Fergie has gone a step further by claiming Ronaldo is as good at running with the ball as Argentina legend Maradona, ranked alongside Pele as the greatest player of all-time.
"Ronaldo's speed is amazing," said Fergie. "He's so quick. His speed with the ball is the real asset he has.
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"He's probably just as quick running with the ball as he is without it.
There have been a few players like that in the past. Maradona ran at great speed with the ball at his feet and Ronaldo is similar.
"That's the thing that bemuses defenders. When a player like Ronaldo is running at them at such speed, it makes life very difficult for them."
Although Fergie had resisted comparing Ronaldo to Best, for fear it would place unnecessary pressure on the 23-year-old, the United boss conceded he can now see remarkable similarities.
"There are certainly similarities between them," said Fergie. "When George played as a winger I don't think he ever stayed still. He roamed from side to side - he played on the right, left and through the middle.
"I've looked at George's goals and a lot of Cristiano's are similar. He started from wide positions before cutting inside.
"It's the same with Ronaldo. If he's taking a corner from the left-hand side or maybe takes a run into the centre of the park and the game breaks down, he often just carries on wandering over there.
"I have absolutely no control over that, none at all, but I don't worry, because that's the great thing about expression and individuality.
"It doesn't concern me because whoever is on the other side immediately switches over. Whether it's Ryan Giggs, Nani, Ji-Sung Park, whoever."
Ronaldo has already broken Best's 40-year-old record of 32 goals for a United winger and is aiming to hit the 40-mark before the season is out.
Despite beating Best's tally, Ronaldo is still some way off United's individual record for goals scored in a single season, set by Denis Law 44 years ago, when he scored 46 times.
"Denis was a fantastic player, my hero, but I didn't know about that record," said Fergie. "That even beats my record when I was playing. I scored 45 in 51 games for Dunfermline back in 1965-66."
Meanwhile, Ronaldo's pal Anderson admits he cannot stop smiling during his 'dream' first season at United.
The Brazilian has started nearly half of United's games since his £17million move from Porto last summer.
And this week the attacking midfielder won his fourth full cap in the Brazil team which beat Sweden at the Emirates.
He said: "I am only 19 and I didn't expect to be playing so much - this first season has gone like a dream for me.
"I am very happy because when I arrived at Manchester United they gave me great support after I spent about eight months injured with a broken leg at Porto.
"It was a wonderful beginning to start playing and play well and this is reflected in the way I feel now. I am very confident and very relaxed. I hope we go on to win the title and the Champions League."
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