Goal-hungry Ronaldo aims to hit top form
Ronaldo, who currently has 23 goals, wants to finish the season with 30 and believes injury and off-field problems that dogged the early part of his season are now well and truly behind him.
It was a minor miracle, of course, that Ronaldo pulled on a red shirt at all this season after a summer of constant transfer speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid. But, after a shaky start on his return from an ankle injury, he has looked back to his rampaging best in recent matches, as highlighted by his goal-of-the-season contender against Porto in the Champions League.
He was also impressive against Arsenal in the semi-final on Wednesday, hitting the bar with one stunning shot from 30 yards and being denied a headed goal by Manuel Almunia.
Now the Portuguese winger has warned future rivals, including Middlesbrough in the Premier League tomorrow and Arsenal in the Champions League return leg on Tuesday, that he is about to hit top gear.
Ronaldo said: “I have 23 goals so far and I think 30 is possible. I try to score all the time, every game. I’m quite happy with my season and with seven games to go who knows.
“I don’t feel tired, I feel good. I think my best moment is now, I don’t know why but I feel good. Maybe it’s the idea of all those trophies that is pushing me, it gives us extra confidence and we want to win everything.”
United could go a step closer to lifting the league title if they can beat struggling Middlesbrough on Saturday but Ronaldo admits he already has one eye on the Emirates with United 1-0 up from the first leg thanks to John O’Shea’s goal.
He said: “I’m very confident we can do it. It’s going to be difficult against Arsenal but I’m dreaming about Rome, I like to play there. It’s a very good stadium! We think we should have scored more goals in the first leg but I still believe we can go to Arsenal and score one or two goals. And this time one could be enough there.
“But we still have to respect Arsenal. They keep the ball very good against us, they didn’t create chances in the first leg but they are a good team with good players.”
Not surprisingly Ronaldo is dreaming of scoring at the Emirates, especially after coming so close on Wednesday. He added:” I shot against the bar and if it had gone in it would have been a fantastic goal. But no problem, I’ll try and score at Arsenal instead.
“I think we have to play like we did at home because we played fantastic, we played good football and created a lot of chances. We have to do the same again. We know everyone respects Manchester because they know we can score on any pitch.
“It’s going to be more difficult because Arsenal are at home in front of their own supporters. It’s going to be tough. But that’s no problem for us. The team is mature and has experience, we know what is required to win it. I still believe. We know if we score another goal it will be more easy and we have to be focused to win the game. As I say, I’m very, very confident.
“Manchester is always favourites. We are the holders of the Champions League and we don’t want to lose it. To get to the final again would be an unbelievable achievement. And all the players want that.”
However Ronaldo feels United’s hopes of reaching Rome were hampered referee Claus Bo Larsen.
Ronaldo questioned two key offside calls that denied United goalscoring opportunities after Anderson appeared onside when he was flagged while the decision over a run by Ryan Giggs that ended with the Welshman finding the net on his 800th United appearance was borderline.
Ronaldo said: “Two offsides are not offside and a few fouls he didn't give. It was not his best game.
“The first one Anderson was not offside and, with Giggsy, I'm not sure either. They are not great decisions but you have to respect the referees even if they were not brilliant - and just hope they will be better at Arsenal.’’
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