Fergie defends Ronaldo

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists Cristiano Ronaldo can handle his new-found high-profile lifestyle.

The Portuguese wing ace has been at the centre of this summer's biggest transfer saga as Real Madrid attempt to lure him away from Old Trafford.

Ronaldo has been on holiday in Los Angeles as he recovers from an ankle operation and there have been suggestions the 23-year-old has had his head turned by intense media coverage.

But Ferguson insists that is not the case and that it has always been planned for Ronaldo to travel to America.

Rubbish

"He (Ronaldo) was always scheduled to have this time off in Los Angeles," said Ferguson.

"There was no harm in going there. He was doing some commercial things. We have someone out there with him.

"All the stuff we have seen about him, well, it's a load of rubbish."

Ronaldo has even been compared to former Manchester United star David Beckham, who went on to join Real in 2003 amid allegations Ferguson had grown frustrated with his off-field lifestyle.

Elevation

However, Ferguson did not want to be drawn into comparisons between the two players.

He said: "As far as the comparisons with him and David Beckham are concerned, I'm not going to discuss that.

"Any young player is going to get attention. The important thing is how they handle that.

"We know success changes people but the change you like to see is an elevation in esteem and personality, which makes them better players a lot of the time.

"Cristiano is now reaching that stage with his maturity, personality and presence he has on the world stage. We should help him."