MANCHESTER UNITED are honouring Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford – even though he could be their Champions League nemesis tonight.
The 33-year-old returns to Old Trafford tonight as a hero after his medal-laden spell at the club.
Such are the memories he created, there’s a picture of Ronaldo in Manchester United club colours adorning the wall of their media room.
You could have forgiven them for taking it down with Juventus in town for the Champions League clash.
But no. Jose Mourinho spoke on Monday and sat just metres away from the Ronaldo tribute.
And, when he did get quizzed on the Portuguese superstar, Mourinho rated him up there with as high as anyone he’s worked with.
“I thought Cristiano is in a level where he doesn’t need these questions and these answers,” Mourinho said.
“He is one of the best players of all time and nobody can tell different than that. He’s one of the best players of all time. It’s as simple as that.”
At the weekend, his fifth goal for Juve against Genoa made him the first player to chalk up 400 goals in Europe’s top five leagues and he made it clear yesterday he is totally focused on what will be an emotional return to his former club.
He has been back once before and ruined Sir Alex Ferguson’s hopes of Champions League success in his final season as United manager, scoring for Real Madrid in both legs of their last-16 tie, including the winner in the second leg in the stadium where he made his name.
Cristiano Ronaldo picture is on the walls at Manchester United
Jose Mourinho will lead Manchester United into battle against Juventus
And he made sure he referenced the debt he owes Ferguson – recovering well from a brain haemorrhage – who took him from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and launched him on to the world stage.
“Sir Alex – I will never forget him,” he said. “He was a huge lift in my career and I express best wishes to him. When I knew we were to play Manchester United, it was huge for me. It is a huge thing to come back. I have happy memories of what it was like in Manchester.
“I remember my history here – I won lots of trophies, the Premier League, the Champions League and I remember the support of the fans.”
But Ronaldo is a serial winner rather than a sentimentalist and he warned United he wants Juve to repeat what Real did to them five years ago. “Manchester are a good team, they are playing at home, so it will be tough for us,” he said.
“We have our weapons – we are Juve. We know it will be tough but we have a good chance to win if we play in a good way, the way the coach wants.
“We have to respect Manchester United – they are a fantastic team, with an experienced coach – but I expect and look forward that Juve will win the game.
“If I score I won’t celebrate – it will be the same as last time I came with Real.”
Source:www.express.co.uk