Keep booing Ronaldo - Sir Bobby Friday, September 29, 2006
SIR Bobby Charlton has invited opposing fans to keep up the boos for Cristiano Ronaldo because the player is thriving on it.
The United legend feels that, far from shrinking back into his shell after being barracked for his World Cup face-off with Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo has responded by playing the best football of his career.
He said: "I think he feels welcome here at United. He'll get over this thing where the odd few people boo him because of what happened in the World Cup.
"He's put that behind him, he doesn't worry about it. He's shaken hands with Wayne Rooney, he's apologised.
"But they'll keep trying. At the end of the day he seems to thrive on it, it gives him a challenge of trying to keep them quiet and he does that by scoring goals.
"He's playing better than ever. He's learning not to do the really difficult things. If the simple thing is on he'll do that, but put him round about the 18-yard box, one against one, and defenders have a problem. He's a great talent and he's still only young.
"I remember when I first saw him in a European youth tournament. I was on holiday somewhere and I watched a Portuguese match that was on with these young lads. I remember saying `wow'.
"I thought some of the step-overs were a bit over the top. But there was an end product. I thought what a talent if you could just harness it."
