Unstoppable: United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described Cristiano
Ronaldo's free-kick as 'the best I've ever seen'
Not everyone deserves a bonus, as disgraced MP Derek Conway's
sons would no doubt concede. But if Cristiano Ronaldo is paid what
has to be a huge amount of money every time he scores a goal for
Manchester United, not even Malcolm Glazer's bankers could
complain.
Ronaldo scored his 26th and 27th of an already remarkable season
and he deserves far more than the financial rewards that come with
such an astonishing return for a player who, technically anyway, is
a midfielder.
Sir Alex Ferguson again compared him to George Best in his
pre-match programme notes, noting how close he was to the late,
great Ulsterman's club record of 32 goals in a season for a
winger.
In that same season (67-68), Best was also crowned European
footballer of the year and don't bet against Ronaldo emerging top
of that particular poll as well if he continues like this.
On the evidence here he will sail past Best's long-standing
mark.
Probably in the space of another six or seven games given the
fact he has reached 27 in just 28 appearances.
Against Portsmouth he did more than simply secure the three
points that take United back to the summit of the Barclays Premier
League.
He entertained his audience with a breathtaking performance,
creating chances for others as well as demonstrating a ever-more
clinical edge to his finishing. Not that he was alone in thrilling
a packed Old Trafford. This was vintage United, from the movement
and the passing to the apparent telepathy that has developed
between Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and anyone else who wears red on this
pitch.
So much for Arsene Wenger's theory that United's trip to Saudi
Arabia would have a negative effect.
Slipped through: Cristiano Ronaldo beats David James to score
the opener at Old Trafford after breaking the Pompey offside
trap
For a Portsmouth side again punching above their weight this
season under the careful guidance of Harry Redknapp, it was a
nightmare. They were under pressure before Ronaldo struck his first
goal in the 10th minute and beaten by the time he added a second
three minutes later.
There was nothing they could do against players so talented and
so in tune with one another. David James might have done his best
to protect his goal in front of a watching England boss Fabio
Capello, but experienced defenders like Sol Campbell suffered in
the company of Ronaldo and his colleagues.
Ferguson might have said he had no desire to 'put pressure on
the lad' when he dared compare Ronaldo to Best but he also said how
much the young superstar thrives on such pressure — and so it
proved. Two goals in three first-half minutes. Extraordinary.
Both were beautiful in their execution. The first came after a
clever one-two with Nani and was concluded with the sight of
Ronaldo slipping the ball through the legs of James. The second
left those same legs rooted to the spot, so perfect was the
free-kick he then guided over the Portsmouth wall and into the
former England goalkeeper's top left-hand corner.
Not that a watching Capello could have criticised James when
there not a goalkeeper on the planet who could have done much about
either goal. Sometimes you just have to recognise sporting genius,
as well as the fact that you simply can't win.
To United's credit, and the concern of their shellshocked
visitors, they were not content to leave it there. They wanted a
third, and both Ronaldo and Rooney threatened.
Portsmouth offered little in response, other than a clear
determination to stop this turning into a demolition job. They were
struggling to do that, though, a reckless challenge by Sean Davis
on Paul Scholes inviting Ronaldo to have another go from
distance.
Again Ronaldo struck it well but James made the kind of save
that would have impressed Capello on what, after all, was the
37-year-old's 500th Premier League appearance.
But James, along with the rest of his colleagues, would have
been relieved to then see Wes Brown meet a Nani corner with an
effort that flew over the crossbar.
Had Carlos Tevez and Ryan Giggs also been involved, and not
rested, it actually could have been that much worse for Portsmouth.
But Redknapp should not fret too much. Still better to be manager
of Portsmouth than be in charge of a Newcastle side that so meekly
conceded three goals at Arsenal the previous evening.
"I think it was a fantastic performance - one of the best this
season. I can't believe it was only two. We missed a few chances,
but at the end of the day you've got to think about the
performance."
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic,
Evra, Nani, Scholes (Anderson 62), Carrick, Park, Ronaldo
(Hargreaves 73), Rooney (Tevez 73).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, O'Shea.
Goals: Ronaldo 10, 13.
Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin
(Hreidarsson 46), Pamarot, Lauren (Mvuemba 46), Davis, Diarra,
Kranjcar, Baros (Hughes 78), Mwaruwari.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Pedro Mendes.
Booked: Pamarot.
Att: 75,415
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
