Source: SKY_Sports
Ron rubbishes intimidation talk
Cristiano Ronaldo does not believe that Premier League defences set out to give him a rough time.
The Manchester United superstar often finds himself on the wrong end of full-blooded challenges, with the the winger once again seeing him fall under the microscope this week.
He was clattered by Newcastle defender Steven Taylor shortly before half-time during the Red Devils' midweek win on Tyneside, with Sir Alex Ferguson expressing his disgust at that particular challenge failing to result in a red card.
It is not the first time Ronaldo has come in for such treatment, with his show-boating antics often riling the opposition.
However, the Portuguese winger accepts that taking a few knocks is part and parcel of being a world class performer.
"On the pitch I'm a target for defenders, so it's difficult to avoid certain things," he said in the Daily Mirror.
"But I don't believe people just want to do something wrong on purpose. In my experience, the game is not carried out that way. I've never had any serious problems.
"I do remember when a goalkeeper said that the only way to stop United is to target Ronaldo - I went on to score two past him.
"But I don't agree when people say that to stop United, you only need to stop Cristiano. I don't like it when people say that."
While Ronaldo has yet to replicate the form which saw him win the 2008 World Player of the Year award, he remains an integral part of a United side which could yet secure an unprecedented quadruple this season.
"I don't like to relax," said Ronaldo.
"I have to continue winning awards and trophies because I'm still young. I have a big path ahead of me and I want to stay in this important position, so I have to continue playing like I'm playing.
"I feel I'm at a club that gives me a guarantee to win titles and trophies. That makes me very happy. When we play for the Premier League or whatever, we know that we can win something.
"The Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Carling Cup are all important, because if we win them it improves our confidence.
"We're doing well in these competitions and we want to win them all. It would be good. Last year we did the double and this year we have opportunities to win them all.
"We have to continue working as we have been, because we're on a good path. To already be in the history of United is an enormous privilege and makes me very happy. It's a privilege to work with a group of young and old United players."
