Ronaldo king of the kids for Turkey trot
With qualification for the Champions League knock-out phase already assured ahead of tonight’s final Group D encounter with Fenerbahce, Ferguson had previously declared his intention to spare the senior members of his squad the eight-hour round trip to Istanbul.
The Scot dutifully kept his promise, with one notable exception in Ronaldo, the only member of United’s travelling party who started Saturday’s 3-0 Premiership win over Southampton.
It seemed a bizarre decision given Ferguson has publicly stated his intention to offer the 19-year-old a mid-season break at some stage in the campaign to save him from burn-out.
But for all his talent and promise, it seems the United boss is equally eager to ensure his £12million capture from Sporting Lisbon recognises he still has plenty of developing and maturing to do, as well as being an obvious role model for the host of fresh faces who accompanied him to the banks of the Bosphorus.
“Cristiano has fantastic potential,” said Ferguson.
“He is a player with great courage and the first thing he always thinks when he gets the ball is how to attack defenders.
“We are very pleased with the progress he is making but we cannot forget he is only a kid.
“Both Cristiano and Darren Fletcher must remember they are still young boys and the reason brought them on this trip to keep them integrated with the other younger players in our squad. Hopefully, that will create a unity they can all grow up with.
“I don’t want them separated into first team, reserve team and youth team players. When they go onto that pitch tomorrow night, they will all be Manchester United first-team players.”
Ferguson re-stated his desire to give Ronaldo a rest but claimed he ‘still had to decide’ when the best time would be to hand the youngster a break.
Among the unheralded members of his squad for tonight’s encounter are defenders Gerard Pique and Paul McShane, midfield duo David Jones and David Poole, plus striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
No wonder disgruntled Turkish journalists questioned Ferguson’s desire, although their probing was met with a typically curt response.
“Do not underestimate Manchester United,” he said. “Maybe this is not my recognised first team but there will be nine internationals in my starting line-up, we will be trying to win and I believe we have a big chance.
“December is a very busy month for us, I have a squad of 25 players and I have to give them match practice so they are fit when I need them.”
Ferguson’s observation means he is set to play exactly the same team that squeezed past Arsenal into the Carling Cup semi-finals last week,
However, there will be the notable inclusions of Ronaldo and Fletcher for Eagles and Kleberson, who would have also been on this trip but for the ankle injury he picked up against the Gunners which has ruled him out until the new year.
With United’s place in the last 16 confirmed and Fenerbahce certain to head into the UEFA Cup next year no matter what the outcome at the 43,000-capacity Sukru Saracoglu, the only issue at stake is who will advance into the knock-out stage as group winners.
If Lyon defeat Sparta Prague as expected, United would have to record their first Champions League away win since Diego Forlan scored the winner against Panathinaikos last term to finish top.
That scenario would ensure the Red Devils avoided Juventus in the next round for certain, although Ferguson insists the advantage could be minimal.
“The competition has reached such a stage now where you expect all the big names and top clubs to be in there anyway,” he added.
“AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid will all be in there, so I really don’t think finishing first or second will make that much difference.”
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