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Sir Alex Welcomes Ronaldo Back for United

shamar said
12:33 09/16 2008

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo back from injury for Wednesday's Champions League opener against Villarreal, and praised the Portuguese star for accepting the team's refusal to let him leave for Real Madrid.

Ferguson doesn't expect fans to give Ronaldo a hostile reaction for attempting to leave Old Trafford in the offseason. Ferguson traveled to Portugal in July to remind Ronaldo that he has four years remaining on his contract.We're delighted he's back and he's shown fantastic maturity in the last few weeks accepting the situation regarding Manchester United and getting on with it," Ferguson said Tuesday. "There has been no pettiness or throwing toys out of the pram. He's been professional every day and is well ahead of schedule.

"I think the fans understand the situation with a young man being tempted by the lure of money in a way."

The Portugal winger is making his return after undergoing ankle surgery two months ago, just in time for the start of United's European title defense. His presence has taken on greater importance with forward Dimitar Berbatov doubtful after hurting his knee in Saturday's defeat at Liverpool.

Ronaldo scored 42 goals as United won the European and English double last season, playing with pain in his right ankle for the final two months of the campaign.

Ferguson said Ronaldo's commitment is evident in his swift comeback, although he is expected to be a substitute Wednesday.

"It is one of best recoveries I have ever seen," Ferguson said. "Every day, he has been training through till 5 p.m. and has showed a real determination to return to playing for us."

His return has galvanized a squad shaken by its first defeat at Liverpool in seven years. In addition, Michael Carrick has been ruled out for up to six weeks after sustaining a broken foot in the game.

Forward Carlos Tevez said Ronaldo will give United a renewed impetus.

"Ronaldo is a massive player for us and his great to have one out side," Tevez said. "It is almost like having an extra player on your side when he plays for you because he is such a danger to our opponents so it will be a boost for us.

"We have always come back stronger and that was the reason we won two titles last year. I do think you will see a reaction from the players tomorrow."

Ferguson won a second Champions League title in May when United beat Chelsea in a penalty shootout in Moscow, following the comeback win over Bayern Munich in 1999. Under Matt Busby, United won the European Cup in 1968.

Ferguson claims United winning three European Cup titles is unsatisfactory compared to other big European clubs.

"We should have won the European Cup more times and hopefully we will win it more times again," Ferguson said. "We can make it four, which is a more respectable record in Europe, given the records of Bayern (four), Ajax (4), Liverpool (5), AC Milan (7) and Real Madrid (9).

"That's the challenge - to make more history for the club."

Villarreal drew 0-0 with United at Old Trafford in November 2005, and achieved the same score in eastern Spain when Wayne Rooney was sent off.

United failed to advance from the group stage that season, causing speculation over Ferguson's future.

"That was a difficult period, the team was changing," Ferguson said. "There were too many young players ... since then we've accepted the challenge and got on with it."

Villarreal will be without injured strikers Nihat Kahveci and Giuseppe Rossi, while Jozy Altidore was omitted from the squad by coach Manuel Pellegrini.

Robert Pires hopes to make his 75th Champions League appearance and his first since losing the 2006 final to FC Barcelona with Arsenal.

"We'll play our football and go out looking to do things as we do every game," the French midfielder said. "To us, it should be equal whether you play against Manchester or against Alborg. ... If we play our football and take advantage of our options, we can win, without a doubt."