Ronaldo: Converts late winner

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hailed match-winner Cristiano Ronaldo after his late strike secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Derby.

United dominated the first half and frustration was growing as they missed a host of chances following the break, with Ronaldo the biggest culprit.

But the Portuguese star persevered and 14 minutes from time he converted his 31st goal of the season from Wayne Rooney's cross to maintain United's title challenge.

Derby put in a brave performance after their 6-1 drubbing at Chelsea in midweek, although Ferguson believes his side should have been home and dry by half-time.

"After Derby were thrashed on Wednesday, I think Paul Jewell's done a fantastic job getting the confidence back in his team," he said. "To get that effort he got today is good management.

"But after the first 20 minutes we should have been four or five up and that would have made it much, much easier for us of course.

Fantastically-taken goal

"You have to admire the second half from Derby, I think they made a real battle of it, but the name of the game is to win and we have to thank Ronaldo again for a fantastically-taken goal.

"It wasn't easy because it came up off the turf, he had to get over the top of it and make sure he kept it down, and it was a really, really good finish. He had a lot of tremendous chances in the match and that was probably the hardest.

"I've every trust in him," Ferguson added. "You've got to admire the boy, his courage is beyond question now.

"I don't know how many fouls there were on him and he's got the courage to get up and keep going.

Encouragement

"People want to see footballers like that and I think we've got to give him encouragement. We say, 'you do what you're good at, don't stop, because that's what people are here to see'."

Ronaldo's late winner sent United one point above Arsenal at the Premier League summit ahead of the Gunners' evening kick-off against Middlesbrough.

United will go clear if they win their game in hand against Bolton in midweek and Ferguson is in high spirits as the title race heads into the home straight.

"It's three points and we're pleased with that," he said. "We've got a home game against Bolton on Wednesday and hopefully we can win that and go to the top of the league so it's a big incentive for us.

"I think the league is bubbling up very nicely now and I'm sure it'll be a fantastic finish to the league."