Ronaldo ready for home reception
After braving a hostile reception in Oxford, Cristiano Ronaldo should get to find out what Manchester United’s fans think of him at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Judging by the reception he received from the visiting fans at the Kassam Stadium last night, the 21-year-old winger should have few fears.
Stirred into action by the boos and jeers which rang out every time Ronaldo received the ball, the Red Devils contingent defiantly bellowed their approval at the Portugal international’s two-goal contribution to United’s 4-1 win.
And, while there will be far sterner tests ahead of Ronaldo’s fortitude, an anticipated outing against Sevilla at the weekend should at least confirm there are no hard feelings among the United camp for his actions during the World Cup.
“It was Cristiano’s first game back and I thought he handled it very well,” said United boss Alex Ferguson.
“He took his goals very well. They were both great strikes and he got a terrific reception from the United supporters as well.”
With no police inside the stadium and security beefed up as a result of United heading south with a squad containing nine internationals rather than the reserve team which was originally anticipated when the fixture was agreed earlier in the summer, fears over Ronaldo’s security – this evening at least - appear to have been exaggerated. However, Oxford boss Jim Smith was still not happy with his own supporters.
“You expect him to get booed at places like Liverpool and Manchester City but to come here and hear that is a bit disrespectful really,” he said.
“Whatever happened at the World Cup as regards Wayne Rooney has happened now. I think most continental players would have done exactly the same thing.
“It wasn’t his fault Wayne Rooney got sent off. Overall, I thought Ronaldo was one of the outstanding players at the World Cup and he showed everyone what a quality player he is in this game.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Darren Fletcher were also on target for the visitors, whose ranks are set to be bolstered in the next 24 hours by the arrival of West Brom keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
After spending most of the summer attempting to lure the Polish international to Old Trafford, it now appears Alex Ferguson has got his man, with Baggies boss Bryan Robson confirming talks are “on-going”.
In addition, Ferguson now knows Rooney and Paul Scholes, who both missed last night’s trip, will be available for the Premiership opener with Fulham on August 20 no matter what disciplinary action eventually materialises over their dismissals in the recent Amsterdam tournament.
Four days on, the Football Association are still waiting to hear whether the dismissals were reported to the Dutch FA.
With the Red Devils eager to get the matter cleared up before the season gets underway, Soho Square chiefs will make contact with their Dutch counterparts at some point today to establish the situation.
However, as no punishment can be imposed until 14 days after the FA receive the referee’s report, both Rooney and Scholes are free to face Fulham in United’s Premiership opener and, in all probability, Charlton four days later.
