Ferguson: Roma don't scare Ronaldo
Sir Alex Ferguson has defended Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese winger was criticised for showboating and an alleged lack of respect towards Roma.
Some of the Roma players suggested they may take revenge in the European Cup quarter-final second leg. Ferguson has told Luciano Spalletti's players that they are wasting their time.
Not scared: Sir Alex Ferguson says his star winger Cristiano Ronaldo isn't scared of Roma ahead of the second leg of their European Cup quarter-final
The United manager said: 'Ronaldo is a player who wants to express his talent and that's why people will pay £40-£50 to see him.
'It may be annoying to an opponent because he is prepared to take the ball to them and show his talents, but you can't deny the boy's confidence and courage to do that.
'As far as I'm concerned, he can keep on doing it. He had a few tackles against him in Rome, but I think the referee was good and he did the right things at the right time, booking two of their players for tackles.
'But, at the end the day, Ronaldo is a winner. They can't kick him out of the game because he will always get up and play.
'I'm not worried by what Roma are saying. The most important message that Ronaldo is giving out is that he is a great player and he is not going to be afraid to take the ball and beat men.
'That's what he is saying and, whatever fashion he chooses to do it, I don't care. We encourage it and we encourage it in all the players. In this modern era, it is a refreshing change to see players who are not going to be intimidated by opponents and are just going to keep on doing what they are doing.'
Ferguson recently crIticised Nani for juggling the ball on his head during United's 4-0 FA Cup defeat of Arsenal. But last night he said: 'I looked at the video of the Arsenal game again after what Arsene Wenger said and I didn't see that Nani was showboating.
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'He was getting pressure from his opponent and he kept the ball up. We don't encourage players to humiliate opponents and I don't think we do.'
Ferguson also revealed that he will contest an FA charge of improper conduct imposed for comments about referee Martin Atkinson after United lost in the FA Cup against Portsmouth.
It is not known if assistant Carlos Queiroz will contest an identical charge.
