Sir Bobby Charlton was once embarrassed but is now in awe of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sir Bobby Charlton has conceded he was once embarrassed by Cristiano Ronaldo's antics, but now admits he is desperate to keep the Portuguese talisman at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo arrived in England with a reputation for being somewhat of a showman and his first few years in the Premiership often saw the precociously talented forward playing as much for himself, or at least for the crowd, as he did for the team as a collective.
A plethora of tricks and skills showed undeniable talent but all too often Ronaldo was criticised for not finding an end product to match the showmanship.
If this was a criticism that could fairly be levelled at Ronaldo, and Charlton believes it is, then this season has seen the player firmly put such accusations to bed, with a series of scintillating displays for both club and country.
Charlton has been one of many transfixed by a player widely regarded to be the best in the world at present, and it is with both hope and expectation that he looks to Ronaldo committing his long-term future to United - with Real Madrid and Barcelona waiting in the wings should he elect for a fresh challenge.
"Sometimes he has been over-ambitious," Charlton told the Sunday Express.
"When he first came over he just seemed to want to show people how many tricks he could do - and that was a little embarrassing sometimes.
"Cristiano has said that he is very happy here. He is a magnificent player, a talisman.
"You don't normally expect a forward to be a talisman figure. Cristiano is a player we don't want to lose at all.
"He is getting better than we ever imagined. Ronaldo is a unique talent. I feel he would prefer to stay here.
"If it's just a case of money, we have to make sure we have enough to keep him here.
"He can be remembered here as one of the best."
