Ronaldo must ignore critics

Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson has told his wing wizard Cristiano Ronaldo that he must ignore the media and his critics. Several of Ronaldo's opponents complain when they play Ronaldo because of his trickery; but Ferguson called on the Portuguese winger to carry on playing the same way.

"As far as I am concerned he can carry on doing what he does," said Fergie. "He's a winner. Opponents can't kick him out of the game because he will always get up and play.

"Ronaldo is a player who wants to express his talent, which is why people are prepared to pay £40 to £50 to watch him play.

"It may be annoying to an opponent because he's prepared to take the ball to him and show these talents, but you can't deny the boy's confidence and courage to do that.

"The most important message to send out is that here is a great player who's not afraid to take the ball and beat men.

"That's what Ronaldo is saying when he plays. In whatever fashion he does it, I don't care. He's paid for his ability and his expression of that ability.

"We encourage him to do that, we encourage it of all our players. It's an expression of play, of having confidence in the way you play.

"In this modern day it's a breath of fresh air to see players with expression in their game, and Ronaldo won't be intimidated by opponents who want him to stop doing that.