Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Fergie seeks Ron protection

01 Apr 2008 - 08:09:53

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that star winger Cristiano Ronaldo will be given protection by the match officials in the Champions League clash with Roma.

Ferguson has spoken out at the treatment of the Portuguese ace in domestic football, although Ronaldo has still managed to score 35 times this season for the Red Devils.

However, the veteran Scot is confident that Ronaldo will have few problems in the first leg of their quarter-final tie in the Italian capital.

He told reporters: "Without question it is a different style of refereeing in Europe.

"In Spain and Italy there is far more protection for the player with the ball. That is good.

"The English game is built on real passion and speed. You do not get these games every week in Europe.

"There it is played at a more leisurely pace, then speeds up in the last third. Our games see a tackle every 30 seconds, so there is more risk of injury.

"But the English game will change now. It has to after the incident involving the Arsenal player (Eduardo)."