Ron warned of free-kick harm

10 May 2009 10:53
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has warned Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo that he could pay the price for his free-kick technique. Ronaldo's unique approach at deadball situations is renowned, and the Portugal international has scored many spectacular efforts during his career to date. Former United striker Hughes, though, has suggested Ronaldo's approach to set-piece shooting could lead to lasting damage to his knees. Hughes, who takes on the Red Devils on Sunday, said: "The way Ronaldo strikes the ball from free-kicks is a completely different technique to anyone else I have ever seen. "It is an outstanding talent that causes big problems for goalkeepers - but Ronaldo himself might one day find there are consequences as well. "It is such an unnatural movement and I wonder whether he will be able to maintain that technique throughout his career without causing himself some damage. "It is amazing that he has got the power and strength to do it. I would have been in serious trouble if I had tried to strike the ball like that on a regular basis - even when I was in my prime as a player. "I wouldn't have even contemplated that. In my day, I tried to hit the casing off the ball or put as much spin on it as possible. He seems to take spin out of the equation. "He strikes down on the ball and lets the flight and pace do the rest through the air. "Ronaldo has found something that works for him and he has the ability to do it on a regular basis. "But it is something that could cause problems, so he will have to build a lot of strength into his thighs and in the muscles around the knee."

Source: SKY_Sports