Cristiano Ronaldo reckons the Manchester United fans can provide the inspiration for even more devastating exploits next season.
The brilliant Portuguese youngster is likely to be unleashed on an unsuspecting Millwall defence in the FA Cup Final tomorrow, presenting the Lions with a test they are unlikely to have experienced too often in the First Division.
After exploding onto the United scene with an outstanding debut off the bench against Bolton, the £12m (€17.8m) summer recruit from Sporting Lisbon took time to settle in England but finished the campaign in blistering fashion and capped a succession of man-of-the-match displays by ripping the Aston Villa defence apart in the final game of the Red Devils’ disappointing Premiership campaign last Saturday.
Alex Ferguson has vowed to handle his supremely talented 19-year-old with care and clearly there is plenty more to come, particularly if Ronaldo continues to draw inspiration from United’s army of supporters.
“I am so pleased the crowd like the way I play,” said Ronaldo, who has been named in the hosts’ squad for Euro 2004 this summer.
“I came here to try and show my worth, so it gives me a real thrill when I get the ball at my feet and the fans start to cheer.”