carlyluvsunited
27-10-2007, 03:13 AM
I'd be happy if Rio scored more than me this season, reveals goal hungry Ronaldo
Manchester United may be on the brink of smashing a 100-year-old scoring
record - but Cristiano Ronaldo does not care whether they get another four
against Middlesbrough, just so long as they win.
Having smashed a combined tally of 12 goals past Wigan, Aston Villa and Dynamo
Kiev in the last three games, United know another quartet against Gareth
Southgate's strugglers at Old Trafford will see them emulate the feat of Billy
Meredith's side during the 1907-08 campaign by netting four in four consecutive
games.
Such an extraordinary long wait, for a club of United's free-scoring potential,
emphasises just how impressive an achievement it would be.
But for Ronaldo, who has contributed four to the total with doubles against Wigan
and Kiev, the statistic is irrelevant in the continued pursuit of honours.
"Of course, if you have an opportunity to score more goals you should take it
because the fans enjoy the game more and the players' confidence increases,"
he said.
"But I don't worry about how many goals we get, I am only interested in how
many points we get. It could be half-nil for all I care just as long as we win."
Ronaldo does accept there has been a startling transformation in United's scoring
fortunes during October.
Prior to the Wigan game, Sir Alex Ferguson's men had scored just nine times in 11
outings.
Yet, it is not just the number of goals that has impressed Ronaldo, it is the
number of players who have scored them, with Rio Ferdinand particularly prolific
in recent times.
Throughout his career, Ferdinand has never scored more than three in a season.
Yet, after successive strikes, and one against Russia for England at Wembley, he
is already up to that tally this term.
And Ronaldo would be happy to see the £29.1million defender match him stride
-for-stride in the scoring stakes.
"I have kept telling Rio he has great qualities," observed Ronaldo. "He is tall and
strong and exceptionally good in the air. I hope he scores a lot more, more than
me if he can. I would be very happy if he did that."
In truth, there is little chance of that, with Ferdinand soon likely to concentrate his
energies on keeping United's opponents out, as he did so effectively at the start
of the campaign.
It is Ronaldo, with six goals in six games, and Rooney, with seven in six for club
and country, who provide the main offensive threat for Ferguson and his team
over the coming weeks.
Middlesbrough have proved obdurate opponents in recent seasons, grabbing at
least a point on five of their last six league visits to Old Trafford.
But with table-toppers Arsenal due at Liverpool on Sunday, six days before they
entertain United at the Emirates Stadium, now is not the time for the Red Devils'
winning streak to end.
"It is always difficult to play after a Champions League match but that would not
be justification for not winning tomorrow," Ronaldo said.
"Middlesbrough are a difficult team to play against but we are at home and we
are confident.
"We all know Arsenal have a difficult game this weekend. If we win and they lose,
it will give us a chance to play without pressure next week."
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Manchester United may be on the brink of smashing a 100-year-old scoring
record - but Cristiano Ronaldo does not care whether they get another four
against Middlesbrough, just so long as they win.
Having smashed a combined tally of 12 goals past Wigan, Aston Villa and Dynamo
Kiev in the last three games, United know another quartet against Gareth
Southgate's strugglers at Old Trafford will see them emulate the feat of Billy
Meredith's side during the 1907-08 campaign by netting four in four consecutive
games.
Such an extraordinary long wait, for a club of United's free-scoring potential,
emphasises just how impressive an achievement it would be.
But for Ronaldo, who has contributed four to the total with doubles against Wigan
and Kiev, the statistic is irrelevant in the continued pursuit of honours.
"Of course, if you have an opportunity to score more goals you should take it
because the fans enjoy the game more and the players' confidence increases,"
he said.
"But I don't worry about how many goals we get, I am only interested in how
many points we get. It could be half-nil for all I care just as long as we win."
Ronaldo does accept there has been a startling transformation in United's scoring
fortunes during October.
Prior to the Wigan game, Sir Alex Ferguson's men had scored just nine times in 11
outings.
Yet, it is not just the number of goals that has impressed Ronaldo, it is the
number of players who have scored them, with Rio Ferdinand particularly prolific
in recent times.
Throughout his career, Ferdinand has never scored more than three in a season.
Yet, after successive strikes, and one against Russia for England at Wembley, he
is already up to that tally this term.
And Ronaldo would be happy to see the £29.1million defender match him stride
-for-stride in the scoring stakes.
"I have kept telling Rio he has great qualities," observed Ronaldo. "He is tall and
strong and exceptionally good in the air. I hope he scores a lot more, more than
me if he can. I would be very happy if he did that."
In truth, there is little chance of that, with Ferdinand soon likely to concentrate his
energies on keeping United's opponents out, as he did so effectively at the start
of the campaign.
It is Ronaldo, with six goals in six games, and Rooney, with seven in six for club
and country, who provide the main offensive threat for Ferguson and his team
over the coming weeks.
Middlesbrough have proved obdurate opponents in recent seasons, grabbing at
least a point on five of their last six league visits to Old Trafford.
But with table-toppers Arsenal due at Liverpool on Sunday, six days before they
entertain United at the Emirates Stadium, now is not the time for the Red Devils'
winning streak to end.
"It is always difficult to play after a Champions League match but that would not
be justification for not winning tomorrow," Ronaldo said.
"Middlesbrough are a difficult team to play against but we are at home and we
are confident.
"We all know Arsenal have a difficult game this weekend. If we win and they lose,
it will give us a chance to play without pressure next week."
Click here to join manutdtalk.com and read all breaking news on all things
United !!!
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php