Ronaldo has launched petulant kicks at Stoke City’s Andy
Wilkinson and Tottenham Hotspur’s Michael Dawson and also clashed
with Middlesbrough captain Emanuel Pogatetz earlier this week.
Whilst the Ballon d’Or winner often appears provoked, after
having been at the receiving end of tackles by the opposition, his
manager insisted this is something he must get used to.
“Of course I can understand Cristiano’s frustration,” the United
boss told The Guardian, “He has produced little moments of
displeasure at the treatment he is getting and they have been
trivial things, but because it is Ronaldo, it is magnified.”
Despite scoring eight league goals already this season, Ronaldo
has struggled to quite reach the heights of last seasons success,
which may be adding to his frustrations.
Yet Ferguson insists that if Ronaldo is to accept his position
at the top of the game he must also accept being a target for
opposing players. He said: “But that’s the penalty for being a
great player. He has to understand that.”