Ronny needs your vote

Cristiano Ronaldo is in the running for yet another award and ManUtd.com readers can now vote for the United winger.

The 23-year-old has been nominated for PFA 2UP Fans' Player of the Month for November after a fine month during which he has netted four goals in as many games.

Ronaldo faces competition from Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, Spurs front man Darren Bent and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard.

The PFA 2UP Fans’ Player of the Month Awards are the only official awards of the Professional Footballers’ Association that are voted for by the fans.

Each month, four lucky supporters who have voted for their divisional winners will get the chance to present the PFA 2UP Divisional Fans’ Player Award to their football hero on the pitch before a home game. One of the yearly fan winners and a guest will be invited to the prestigious PFA Player of the Year Awards Dinner.

Voting for this month's award closes at midnight on 30 November. So vote now at www.givemefootball.com!

Evra: Ronaldo will get Kicked

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra fears that Cristiano Ronaldo will be targeted by opponents should he claim the Ballon d'Or next month.

Evra told the press: "Ronny expects to win the Golden Ball but I have told him that when people see him in the pictures with the golden ball he will have a lot of enemies!

"This is the life, when you are the best player everybody tries to beat you.

"He received a lot of bad tackles against Villarreal and the fans tried to upset and goad him as well. It is normal. He has to be ready for that."

United Qualify but Ronaldo Battered and Bruised

Cristiano Ronaldo took another beating as Manchester United were held to another 0-0 draw, though it does see them qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.

Ronaldo received a number of bruising tackles, with one particularly bad tackle rewarded by a red card for the offending opposition player.

It was a broadly disappointing game, with too many misplaced passes and runs off the ball that went unnoticed. But it was a controlled display by United, who had settled quickly, forcing Diego Lopez into an early save when Anderson shot across goal from a wide angle.

Playing a measured brand of football, the visiting team looked to get behind the Villarreal defence and did so after eight minutes, with Rooney slotting home from a Patrice Evra pull-back only for the effort to be ruled out for an offside against the France defender.

The Villarreal keeper made regulation saves from Ronaldo and Fletcher, returning to the United line-up after injury as one of five changes from the side that drew at Aston Villa on Saturday. But it was a truly spectacular effort from Diego Lopez to tip a thunderous strike from Ronaldo on to the crossbar late in the opening half.

Villarreal, comfortable on the ball if lacking in ambition, did cause United occasional problems and Tomasz Kuszczak had to be alert to parry a strike from Santi Cazorla. Several Villarreal players were incensed shortly after the restart when Rooney went down in the penalty area. Fabricio Fuentes was in close attendance but there did not appear to be any contact.

Diego Lopez kept out another shot from Ronaldo and two weak strikes from Anderson while Villarreal, who had lost skipper Marcos Senna to injury at the break, gradually showed some attacking intent. Soriano Bruno impressed after replacing Senna and almost picked out the impressive Guiseppe Rossi with a cross from the left while three Villarreal players tried but failed to make contact with a teasing ball from the right.

Rooney had a shot on the turn saved but the nearest the half came to a goal after the break was after the forward's cross from the left took a deflection and headed towards goal with the keeper stranded.

Capdevila headed the ball out for a corner but shortly afterwards was sent from the field. It was a late tackle by Spain defender Capdevila as he slid to win the ball but his studs left the ground and he made contact high on Ronaldo's left leg, with the Portugal star writhing in agony. Howls of derision sounded around the Madrigal for the final 10 minutes of the contest but United closed out the match to ensure their qualification.

Villarreal: Diego Lopez, Javi Venta, Rodriguez, Fuentes, Capdevila, Santi Cazorla, Senna (Bruno 46), Eguren, Pires (Fernandez 65), Rossi (Franco 78), Ibagaza.

Subs Not Used: Viera, Edmilson, Cygan, Angel.
Sent Off: Capdevila (82).
Booked: Javi Venta, Eguren, Fuentes.

Man Utd: Kuszczak, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher (Gibson 80), Carrick (Tevez 86), Nani (Park 85), Anderson, Rooney.

Subs Not Used: Foster, Giggs, Vidic, Rafael Da Silva.
Booked: Evra, Ronaldo.

Att: 26,000
Ref: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo branded ‘malicious bigmouth’ by Brazil

In a game that saw two of the candidates for World Player of the year go head-to-head, Kaka orchestrated many of Brazil’s attacks while Ronaldo did little to justify his claim to be favourite for the award during his team’s defeat in Brasilia.

“He’s a malicious guy,” said Silva, “and if I hadn’t jumped out of the way he would have broken my leg.

“He just lost it because we snuffed him totally out of the game.

“He had the nerve to say he didn’t touch me but that’s only because I got out of the way.”

Earlier this week, Ronaldo said that he was so good he could fill the first three places in the Fifa Player of the Year awards, but his time in Brazil finished on a sour note as the game came to a close.

Ronaldo had several run-ins with the Brazil players while Silva refused the Manchester United playmaker’s hand after one particularly nasty challenge in the closing stages.

“Being considered the best player in the world, he must have more respect. It is difficult to accept what he did,” said Silva.

“He is a little [naughty], yes. But that is football. And we need to know to deal with it.

“He was nervous because he couldn’t create anything.

“Then he realised he was in the wrong and tried to apologise but I wasn’t accepting that.”

Silva’s team-mates, too, were in unforgiving mood and cast doubts on the Manchester United player’s temperament when things go against him on a football pitch.

“Ronaldo was out of order and a bigmouth,” said Real Madrid’s Marcelo.

“He elbowed me off the ball, then tried to have a shouting match about it.”

The win, which included a Luis Fabiano hat-trick, was a relief for under-fire coach Dunga, whose team had failed to score in five of their last seven games.

Elano, who also found the net, was quick to rub further salt into Ronaldo’s wounds ahead of the Manchester derby at Eastlands next week.

He said: “Cristiano Ronaldo scores big goals and does excellent exhibitions but for me I would choose Kaka as the world’s number one.

“We certainly overcame Portugal in this duel and I will always help Kaka to overcome Ronaldo.”

Ronaldo is a firm favourite to emulate last year’s winner, Kaka, by lifting both the European and World Player of the Year titles.

“I am the first, second and third best player in the world,” Ronaldo joked earlier this week. “But there are other good candidates, like Kaka, [Lionel] Messi and [Fernando] Torres.”

Ronaldo Gets his 100!

Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 100th goal (and 101st!) as Manchester United crushed Stoke City 5-0 at home! Ronaldo ran the show.

United played with a verve the visitors never came to terms with and made light of the absence of injured Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs.

The game was barely two minutes old when a robust challenge from Amdy Faye on Tevez gave Ronaldo the type of chance he craves. And the Portuguese winger duly stepped up and struck a blistering free-kick that dipped and swerved in front of Thomas Sorensen, who allowed the ball to slip through his grasp.

Ronaldo could have had a second soon after as United piled on the pressure, but Faye threw himself in the way of his rasping shot.

Stoke dug in and a trademark long throw from Rory Delap was headed towards his own goal by John O'Shea, only for Edwin van der Saar to claw the goalbound ball to safety. Despite gaining some decent possession in attacking areas the visitors failed to create many chances and found themselves with a bigger mountain to climb when Carrick doubled United's lead just before the break. The midfielder collected Ronaldo's pass on the edge of area and despite having four defenders around him, he managed to rifle home a left-footed shot from 16 yards.

After the break the home side looked to put the result beyond doubt and Berbatov did just that as he controlled a cross from Carlos Tevez and volleyed home.

Ronaldo was now running the show and twice tested the Stoke keeper from distance as United hunted a fourth before Tevez tried his luck and curled a shot narrowly wide. Faye was then involved in a confrontation with Ronaldo as the Portugal international aimed a kick at the Stoke midfielder, an incident missed by the officials.

Angolan international Manucho was introduced as a second half substitute by United but headed wide when unselfishly played in by Ronaldo before Berbatov saw an effort cleared off the line by Danny Higginbotham.

The fourth goal eventually came courtesy of Welbeck, another substitute brought on by Ferguson, who gave Sorensen no chance with a powerful shot from 25 yards.

Ronaldo then capped a fine individual and team performance with his second free-kick two minutes from time, struck past the left-hand edge of a badly positioned wall.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher (Gibson 63), Park (Welbeck 63), Tevez (Manucho 74), Berbatov.

Subs Not Used: Foster, Anderson, Nani, Rafael Da Silva.
Booked: Evra.
Goals: Ronaldo 3, Carrick 45, Berbatov 49, Welbeck 84, Ronaldo 89.

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin (Wilkinson 79), Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Olofinjana (Cresswell 31), Diao, Amdy Faye, Delap, Fuller (Kitson 68), Sidibe.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Cort, Whelan, Tonge.
Booked: Fuller, Delap.

Att: 75,369
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

Ronaldo's Ex: He is Vain

We're not sure exactly where you go from dating Cristiano Ronaldo - its a bit like moving on from Manchester United - how can you find another club that competes?!

Ronaldo is on his way to global stardom, became the World Player of the Year, is tea-total so rarely pictured falling out of clubs, and has the charisma, confidence and attitude that women love. He's also filthy rich and good looking.

Up until two months ago, his body was saved for Nereida Gallardo, but with Ronaldo alledgedly texting her to finish it, Nereida has decided that if she can't find another mega-rich man, she might as well sell her story about her ex to the newspapers!

'He's a coward,’ she tells the News Of The World. ‘He couldn't end it face-to-face’ said Nerieda, before letting out some of Ronaldo's secrets.

‘He likes his body to be smooth all over and would even use a hair removal cream,’ Nereida says.

‘He would also use tubs of moisturiser, coating every part of his body at least twice a day. His house is full of mirrors so he’s always walking around glancing at himself.’

Ronaldo Pushes for New Contract

Cristiano Ronaldo's Agent has been in Manchester recently, and has now admitted to meeting up with David Gill in a bid to push through a new contract for his superstar client that will tie Cristiano to United for the next 5 years.

Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to sign up the World Player of the Year for the forseeable future, and admits that this summer may be a problem in keeping him - "Next summer will be a key element of his contract situation because he will have three years left then."

Ronaldo's Agents Gestifute released a statement on their website suggesting Ronaldo is keen to get back around the negotiating table.

"It is normal that a footballer wants a deal to go with his status and one that matches his performances on the field," said a spokesperson for Gestifute.

"But nobody has prepared anything concrete. We want to avoid all these rumours in the press and will have contact with United. We do predict a meeting with Manchester United to speak about the future of Ronaldo but still there is not an exact date."

Ronaldo - New Contract Offer?

Cristiano Ronaldo looks set tobe offered a new contract, which will rub salt into the wounds of Real Madrid, who are still upset that they didn't manage to attract the Portugal and Manchester United star to join their Galacticos in the summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, was in Manchester yesterday, and met up with United supremo David Gill - with rumours circulating that the club are trying to tempt Ronaldo to commit his future to the club where he made his name.

Any new contract offer is likely to be for 5 years (taking him up to 2013) and will be a stunning £170,000 A WEEK!

Ronaldo has said he is happy here, just months after issueing several want-away statements to the Press.

Ronaldo & United Lose

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Manchester United team-mates were left rueing missed chances as Arsenal got their Premiership campaign back on track.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will have been frustrated by his side's wastefulness, with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo guilty of throwing away obvious openings.

It was United who had the first opportunity when Arsenal keeper Almunia inexplicably picked up a backpass from Mikael Silvestre inside the first two minutes. Arsenal were relieved when Anderson's free-kick was half-cleared and Michael Carrick turned the loose ball wide.

Wenger appeared to have instructed Arsenal to probe United's right-flank, where Gary Neville looked desperately uncomfortable at the start of what was a harrowing afternoon for the England defender. Gael Clichy's cross was headed off target by Nicklas Bendtner, who then failed to get on the end of another dangerous ball from Nasri.

Rooney missed an even better chance for United after 17 minutes, carelessly lofting an inviting ball from Ronaldo over the top when it seemed certain he would score.

Arsenal took full advantage of the reprieve to take the lead five minutes later, when Nasri's shot took a crucial deflection off Neville and wrong-footed Edwin van der Sar. It was a wonderfully open game but Arsenal were playing like a team stung by recent criticism and the sight of old rivals United had only inspired them further.

Fabregas had a shot deflected just wide but United were threatening themselves and Almunia needed to save well from Ji-Sung Park.

If there was a frustration for Arsenal, it would have been that the crucial second goal had eluded them, despite their dominance. They did not have to wait long to get it as Nasri doubled their advantage three minutes after the restart. Fabregas was at the centre of affairs again, punishing United for failing to pick up Nasri when he threaded through a perfect pass for the France midfield man to beat Van der Sar with an emphatic finish.

United, uncharacteristically, were lacking a cutting edge and wasted a perfect opportunity to grasp at a lifeline immediately after Arsenal's goal. Park found Ronaldo unmarked at the far post but he dragged his shot across the face of goal with only Almunia to beat.

Almunia then required lengthy treatment after an accidental clash with Carrick as United refused to give up on the belief that they could get back into an enthralling encounter. He carried on but was clearly in discomfort and was replaced by Lukasz Fabianski with 12 minutes left.

United also replaced Rooney with Carlos Tevez and Anderson with Ryan Giggs in what was clearly a last throw of the dice by Ferguson as time ran out. Rafael, who had replaced Neville in the 63rd minute, pulled one back in the final minute with a spectacular left-foot volley from the edge of the box after Arsenal failed to clear a Giggs cross.

Arsenal: Almunia (Fabianski 78), Sagna, Gallas, Silvestre, Clichy, Walcott (Song Billong 77), Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri, Diaby (Toure 86), Bendtner.

Subs Not Used: Vela, Ramsey, Wilshere, Djourou. Booked: Gallas, Sagna, Clichy.
Goals: Nasri 22, 48.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville (Rafael Da Silva 63), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Anderson (Giggs 72), Carrick, Park, Rooney (Tevez 77), Berbatov.

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Nani, O'Shea, Evans.
Booked: Evra, Carrick.
Goals: Rafael Da Silva 90.

Att: 60,106
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

Ronaldo Eyes Victory at Arsenal

Six victories from their last seven league games have seen United move third in the table, a place and a point above the Gunners with a game in hand.

"We want to win the title so we have to get three points there," said Ronaldo.

"We have a great spirit and we are a great team, so our aim is to pick up three points."

Despite their impressive past record on their visits to Highbury, Arsenal`s previous home, United have claimed just one point from two games at the Emirates Stadium.

But Arsenal have gone three games without a win in all competitions and, despite sitting fourth in the table, have already lost to Fulham and Hull this season.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is definitely without top-scorer Emmanuel Adebayor, while Mikael Silvestre has a suspected broken nose, Theo Walcott and William Gallas are doubts and Robin van Persie begins a three-match domestic suspension.

"I don`t know if it is tough for them at the moment but they will still have 11 players, the same as us, and I know it will be difficult because it always is," said Ronaldo.

"It is a new stadium and maybe it is because of that our record at the Emirates is not as good as it was at Highbury.

"But do not forget also Arsenal have great talent. We respect them and it is going to be difficult to win there."

In the 2007-08 league campaign, Arsenal won 16 of their first 21 matches and were unbeaten until 9 December.

"Last season Arsenal started very well and dropped points at the end of the season," Ronaldo added.

"Maybe this season is going to be different. Maybe they will lose points at the start and then win them in the last bit of the season.

"But we can`t worry about that. We have to think about ourselves."

Ronaldo Tops Magazine List

The Portugal international finished top of the magazine’s annual countdown of the top 100 footballers on the planet, beating the likes of Barcelona`s Lionel Messi and previous winner Kaka of AC Milan to the coveted No.1 spot. See www.fourfourtwo.com for the full top 10.

“Ultimately Ronaldo’s personal achievements, coupled with his team’s success, secured him the No.1 spot,” said FourFourTwo editor-in-chief Hugh Sleight.

Ronaldo scored an amazing 31 goals in 31 starts as United retained the title last season, including successive ‘Goal of the Month’ winners against Portsmouth and Aston Villa.

Ronaldo is FifPro World Footballer of the Year

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Manchester winger, has been named FifPro World Footballer of the Year.

The Portugal international, who is also the favourite to be named European and Fifa World Player of the Year, has been chosen for the award by thousands of professional footballers across more than 40 associations.

Ronaldo was continually linked with a move to Real Madrid over the summer, but now insists he is happy at Old Trafford.

"I insist that I am a Manchester United player and now I think that next year I will continue here," Ronaldo said. The player also said that Sir Alex Ferguson played a huge part in his decision to commit his future to Old Trafford.

"He has been a key person. I respect him a lot, because it was him who signed me and he has played a very important part in all that I have won," Ronaldo said.

"In Lisbon I reached an agreement with him and it was decided that the best thing for all was to continue.

"He listened to my arguments and I listened to his. Now I understand that it was the correct decision. I am with Manchester United body and soul."

Ronaldo was one of five Premier League players who have been selected in the team of the year. The Portugal winger joins Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres (both Liverpool), John Terry (Chelsea) and Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) in the team.

Like United, Liverpool provide two members of the team, with Gerrard and Torres, who is one of five Spanish players in the team. Real Madrid also have two players in the team in Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos, however, Barcelona boast three players with Carles Puyol, Xavi and Lionel Messi all selected in the side.

Kaka, the Brazil midfielder, is the only player included from an Italian team.

FifPro team:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
John Terry (Chelsea)
Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
Carles Puyol (Barcelona)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Kaka (AC Milan),
Xavi (Barcelona)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Ronaldo: I`ll Score 42 More

Earlier this week, Manchester United gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson warned Cristiano Ronaldo that he`d struggle to equal the ridiculous goal tally he amassed last season, saying: "He has five goals now and he got 42 last season. I would expect him to get between 25 and 42 this year."

Now, though, the midfielder-cum-striker insists that, despite his stint at Euro 2008 and subsequent ankle injury - not to mention the months of controversy surrounding the `move that never was` to Real Madrid - he can smash his own record.

"I know it’s very difficult to score 42 goals again," he admitted, "but I believe in myself and in my colleagues.

"I’m training the same and I hope to do the same or better."

However, managers and players in the Premier League and around Europe will be spending a lot more time dissecting the Portuguese superstar`s game this term and the 23-year-old no longer has an element of surprise.

Last time out, it was unclear as to whether Fergie was deploying him as a winger or a striker. By the time anyone had figured it out, Ronaldo was well on the way to his goal bonanza.

Thus, a repeat is a bold claim, to say the least. Still, who`s going to rule it out at this point?

Ferguson: Ronaldo can improve

The Manchester United star was honoured by his fellow professionals as he was named the leading player of 2007/08 by members of the world players` union.

Portugal international Ronaldo was always going to be a leading contender for the honour after he scored 42 goals to help the Red Devils claim the Premier League and UEFA Champions League crowns.

And Ferguson has warned Premier League and European defences that the 23-year-old will get even better with age.

Experience
The Scot told Sky Sports News: "For a winger to score 42 goals, that itself deserves recognition. His performances apart from that were exciting. He`s a player who always wants to take the ball and always plays with such great courage.

"Where he will improve is his authority, his timing. Experience gives you better timing, better authority and better decision making and handling all situations, that`s what maturity does.

"In the case of Cristiano, at 23, we expect that to progress the right way.

"When you look at the quality of the players involved it is a measure of the success of the team last season. It was a marvellous year for us and, quite rightly, we`ve been recognised in a big way."

Ronaldo, who was targeted by Real Madrid over the summer before electing to remain at Old Trafford, was quick to repay the compliment in his praise for Ferguson.



Titles
He said: "The boss is very important for me. I`m at the club because of him, he signed me when I was 18 years old.

"He helped me a lot. He respects the players, he knows how to speak with the players and I think this is very important. 99 per cent of the players have a great relationship with him.

"He`s a great man, a great manager, and it is great to be part of Manchester United with him. The titles speak for the themselves, he has won everything for the club."

Ronaldo was joined in the FifPro World XI of 2007/08 by team-mate Rio Ferdinand, who was a rock at the heart of United`s defence during their Double triumph, with Ferguson eager to salute the England international.

He added: "He`s never lost that technical advantage he has over other defenders. The ability and balance to take the ball out of defence has always been there.

"What we`re seeing with Rio now is a maturity in terms of helping other people round about him and being a leader in that respect."