I'm a better player now - Ronaldo Wednesday March 23, 2005
Ronaldo escapes a challenge
CRISTIANO Ronaldo reckons he's a better player now he has learned when to use his bag of tricks and when to play it straight.
The £12m United wing wizard became an instant hit at Old Trafford with his dazzling dribbling and flashy footwork. But now he's curtailed his showbiz act and the result is the Reds have found their old attacking edge.
The 20-year-old Portuguese star said: "I've adapted my game and I reckon I'm a superior player to when I arrived at the club 19 months ago.
"If the manager says I'm an improved player this season it's maybe because I don't play-act as much."
And Ronaldo promised no let-up in his deep determination to bring more silerware to Old Trafford and says: "The FA Cup is a more likely prospect than catching Chelsea for the Premiership title - but we won't give up the chase. It is my ambition to win something this season but the cup is the most likely. But we will not stop believing that we can win the Premiership. Our great vision is to finish in first place and we're going to do everything we can to achieve that.
Positive
"We've been winning games and playing well and we have to continue to think positively.
"We're doing well at the moment and we want to put on a strong finish to the season. Everything is possible."
Ronaldo, who has silenced his "one-trick pony" critics this season with his skills in running at defenders, said next month's home game against Chelsea was a must-win game.
He said: "We have to win against Chelsea as well as Arsenal because it's one of those matches that could later decide the championship.
"They are generally seen as favourites to win the league but we also have winning ambition."
He added: "United will continue to take on all teams in the coming years because we are an elite club but the arrival of Roman Abramovich does mean Chelsea will be giving us more competition.
"United are a great club and I believe in the group of players we have here."
