Ronaldo proud of comparisons to ‘Holy Trinity’ of the 60s

CRISTIANO RONALDO is determined to use comparisons with Manchester United’s legendary “Holy Trinity” as motivation to get even better.

The names of George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton still roll off the tongue as easily as they did in their 1960s heyday.

They were afforded their nickname by United fans as recognition of their immense contribution to the Old Trafford club’s rise to the top of the European game just a decade after the Munich Air Crash had cruelly wiped out Matt Busby’s babes.

Yet now Ronaldo is part of a new trio being afforded a favourable comparison with the illustrious heroes of the past.

Together with Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, the Portugal winger knows he still has some work to do if he is to leave a legacy as distinct as the one Best, Law and Charlton created. Indeed, Charlton is amongst those who think they can although for now the 22-year-old is happy to be mentioned in the same terms.

“To be compared to some of the best players in the history of Manchester United, absolute legends at the club, is good and just gives us more motivation to work hard,” said Ronaldo.

“It would be fantastic if people still talked about me at United after I finished playing.

“Sir Bobby is an honest guy. When he says something positive about me and my colleagues, it is good.

“He knows football. He knows about the game and this club. He knows how difficult it is when you are young, so his words will only help me to do better.”

The weekend could hardly have gone any better for Ronaldo and his team-mates.

After overcoming a sodden pitch and an obdurate Derby outfit at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, United then saw next Sunday’s opponents Liverpool crash to defeat at Reading.

If that was not enough, 24 hours later Arsenal lost their unbeaten record at Middlesbrough.

Not that Ronaldo is getting too excited just yet.

“The priority is to finish top at the end of the season, so the best thing we can do is concentrate on our own results,” he said.

“We should not worry if we don’t pass Arsenal next week. There is plenty of time left.

“We play Liverpool next weekend and if we win that we will have a better chance.”