Schuster determined to land ‘best in the world’ Ronaldo

REAL MADRID boss Bernd Schuster is more determined than ever to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, the player he believes has deposed Kaka as the best in the world.

Schuster accepts it will be almost impossible to prise the Portugal winger away from Old Trafford in the near future but reckons he will one day join the Spanish giants.

“In these types of things it is best to be realistic. Cristiano Ronaldo right now is a 10 out of 10, the best in the world,” said Schuster of the player who on Tuesday night scored his 36th goal of a sensational season.

“But I don’t see Manchester United as being in the business of selling.”

“He is the star at Old Trafford and until he wins a Champions League and some more Premier League titles they are not going to allow him to escape.”

Comparing 23-year-old Ronaldo with the reigning World Player of the Year, Schuster said: “For me, Cristiano Ronaldo is already better than Kaka after the Brazilian’s loss of form at Milan this season.

“Some day he will be with us...”

Tuesday night’s win means Alex Ferguson’s side are now in the driving seat going into the quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford next Wednesday.

Ronaldo has taken his great domestic form into the European arena and now scored seven goals in eight games.

However, he can recall little of his latest effort as he was left dazed and needing brief treatment.

Ronaldo said: “To be honest, I don’t remember much about the goal.

“I went down and I felt pain. I didn’t enjoy it.

“But I will have time to watch it on television – others say it’s a good goal.”

The only downside for United was a knee injury sustained by defender Nemanja Vidic.

The Serbia international had a scan yesterday to assess the extent of the problem.

Vidic came off in the 33rd minute and was replaced by John O’Shea, who slotted in well at the back alongside Rio Ferdinand.

O’Shea has made only nine Barclays Premier League starts this season but his composed performance was applauded by fellow defender Patrice Evra.

“It was important to keep a clean sheet and we did our job,” said the Frenchman.

“We have a big squad and John showed how strong it is when he came on and filled in for Nemanja.

‘‘We have confidence in whoever plays.”

O’Shea savoured the experience at the Stadio Olimpico.

“We can be very proud of what we achieved in Rome,” he said.

“It’s not easy to play away from home and get a good result but we have done this.

“I think it’s amazing how the team has played and the confidence we have shown throughout the game.”

“We have taken a step in the right direction and now we must make sure to clinch qualification at home next week.”

However United boss Ferguson has urged caution ahead of the second leg.

He said: “At this moment, it is a fantastic result for us.

“But probably on the day of the game I will start to worry about it.

“The first thing we have to do is prepare properly for the match.

“We cannot take anything for granted with a place in the semi-finals at stake.”