Ron respects Fergie choices

United winger would never question his manager's decisions

By Patrick Haond   Last updated: 31st October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ron respects Fergie choices

Ronaldo: Respects manager's decisions

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Cristiano Ronaldo insists he would never 'dare' to question any decisions made by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Portuguese winger Ronaldo has recently returned to the United side after missing the start of the season due to an ankle injury.

As he fought his way back to full fitness, there were reports that Ronaldo could be given a rest for the UEFA Champions League tie with Celtic earlier this month.

Ronaldo ultimately started the 3-0 win at Old Trafford, but admits he would not have made a fuss if he had been dropped to the bench by Ferguson.

"Did I ask to play against Celtic?" said Ronaldo in an interview with L'Equipe. "No, I have never dared to question my coach's choices, and I will never dare.

"If he believes I have to stay on the bench, I respect that, even if it is difficult to accept."

Need to play

The 23-year-old is slowly rediscovering the sharpness he displayed last season and he feels he needs to play as many games as possible in order to reach his peak.

He added: "Am I not able to play two matches in a row in one week?

"When you don't play for such a long time, on the contrary you need to play to find full fitness again."

Since joining United from Sporting Lisbon over five years ago, Ronaldo has regularly prompted accusations that he is a 'diver', but was praised by his compatriot Jose Mourinho recently for improving this aspect of his game.

Mourinho also suggested that players should take a tumble, if they have been kicked, and Ronaldo appears to subscribe to a similar theory.

Not a diver

He added: "A diver? I don't want to talk about that because I don't agree.

"If you want to talk about 'divers' you will talk about all the best players in the world.

"They are the most difficult players to stop, so they provoke fouls."

Ronaldo also reiterated his belief that he has the necessary credentials to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, which will be decided in early December.

"There are several candidates for the Ballon d'Or, but the one to win is the one who has been the best all year long," he continued.

"I have been steady, I won the Premier League, Champions League, I was the best scorer in Europe and the best scorer in the Champions League - I have had an amazing season."