Ronaldo is the biggest threat - Mikel Arteta Saturday February 21, 2005
MIKEL ARTETA
EVERTON new signing MIKEL ARTETA has insisted Cristiano Ronaldo and not Wayne Rooney will be the main threat to Everton's FA Cup aspirations tomorrow.
Rooney will be the centre of attention when he returns to Goodison for the first time since his controversial £27million transfer to Manchester United last August.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has yet to decide whether the 19-year-old will play in the televised fifth-round tie, where a hostile reception is expected from Evertonians still upset by the manner of his departure.
But while new Everton signing Arteta is confident Rooney can cope with the situation if selected, the Spaniard has warned his teammates that the primary danger will come from elsewhere.
"United have many players I admire, but the one who stands out most is Cristiano Ronaldo," said Arteta.
"For somebody so young he has amazing quality, his skills are fantastic but he has also matured quickly as a footballer since he first arrived at Old Trafford. A lot will be made of Rooney's first return. He is a professional and will be able to handle the pressure.
"But he made his decision to leave and now he has to cope with the consequences."
Arteta came up against United while at Rangers last season, where the two sides met in the Champions League with the Old Trafford side winning on both occasions.
"I played against United twice and they were high-class opponents," he added. "I might face Roy Keane again who impressed me a lot. He is very strong and very difficult to stop.
"For us Champions League qualification is more important, but a trophy is a trophy and it would mean a lot to the fans if we won the FA Cup."
