Cristiano Ronaldo feels he has hit peak form at exactly the
right time after helping to fire Manchester United into the
Champions League final.
United beat Arsenal 3-1 at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night to
secure a 4-1 aggregate success and will face Chelsea or Barcelona
in Rome on May 27.
Ronaldo scored twice after Park Ji-Sung’s opener and when asked
if he is now back to his best, he told ITV1:
“I think so, yes.
“In the last few games I have felt good, felt fit. This is a
crucial time in the season and the best games are coming.”
Ronaldo moved to spare Manuel Almunia’s blushes by admitting his
first goal, a 40-yard free-kick, swerved past the Arsenal
stopper.
“The shot was quite difficult to save because the ball moved a
little bit,” he said. “I just try to do my best to put the ball in
the net and it was a good goal.”
Darren Fletcher’s harsh dismissal in the second half led to
Robin van Persie’s penalty-spot consolation, and Ronaldo expressed
sympathy for his team-mate, who will now miss the final.
“It is very disappointing, he deserves to be in the final
because he is a fantastic player, he runs a lot and is a team
player,” said Ronaldo.
“He deserves to play in the final but this is football.”
Sir Alex Ferguson was clearly upset for Fletcher and said: “You
can see the ball has moved in a different direction. It moves away
from Cesc Fabregas.
“I think it’s terribly unlucky. There is nothing you can do
about it.”
When asked if the player would have been selected for the final
in Rome, the Scot added: “You saw his performance tonight and all
the big games Darren is always a big player for you.”
Describing United’s overall display, Ferguson admitted his side
had benefited from Gibbs’ slip for the first goal but continued:
“The performance in terms of confidence was terrific.”
United’s final opponents will be decided on Wednesday when
Chelsea host Barcelona with the teams goalless after last week’s
draw at the Nou Camp.
When asked who he believed would win, Ferguson said: “Barcelona
have fantastic players, I was drooling watching them (in the 6-2
win against Real Madrid). But at Chelsea with no centre-back – that
might cost them.”