Ferguson: Ronaldo still improving

Alex Ferguson is relishing the chance of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo in top form again.

The world player of the year did not get started until late September after a summer ankle operation and, although he hit the goal trail immediately, his form then dipped.

However, the 24-year-old has been back at his peak over the last month, scoring seven times, including two incredible 40-yard free-kicks to ease Manchester United’s path towards another Champions League final.

And Ferguson is looking forward to seeing more heroics over the next three weeks as United close in on the Barclays Premier League title and European glory.

“I am not surprised at Cristiano’s recent level of performance,” said Ferguson.

“He is a young man who is still improving because he is nowhere near his maturity.”

The meeting with Barcelona in Rome on May 27 is already being billed as a shoot-out between the Portugal superstar and Lionel Messi for the right to be regarded as world number one.

It promises to be the most intriguing sub-plot to an eagerly-awaited contest, by which time, Ronaldo could easily be threatening the 30-goal mark once more.

“Cristiano is coming good just at the right time,” said Ferguson.

“He took a while to get into his rhythm after his operation.

“But he is a fantastic athlete, with great physique who never misses a game. We are lucky to have that combination, and courage as well.

“Obviously he won’t get to 42 goals like he did last season but he is up to 25 now, which is still a fantastic tally for someone who is regarded as a wide player.”

As Ronaldo has twice been sent off against Manchester City in recent years, he will have more reason that most to want to get the better of Mark Hughes’ men tomorrow.

Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov and Paul Scholes are among those eager to make up for the disappointment of not starting Tuesday’s win at Arsenal by helping United collect three of the seven points required to clinch a record-equalling 18th league title.

Having got so close to the prize, Ferguson is quietly optimistic his players will not be denied now.

“The players are smelling the big games now,” said the United chief.

“They like that big-game situation. They have proved they can handle it and they are hitting top form at the right time.

“It is ours to win in the sense of the points we are ahead of our opponents. With the form we are in, we have a good chance.”