Title Will Satisfy Sir, So Long As Boro
Don't Cripple Ronnie
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he "fears the worst" from
Middlesbrough when they renew hostilities at Old Trafford on
Saturday. Boro have already had three acrimonious duels with
Manchester United this season and are nursing a major sense of
injustice over Cristiano Ronaldo in particular.
James Morrison was sent off for brutally hacking Ronaldo down late
on, with skipper George Boateng following up by claiming the United
man would "get hurt" one day if he carried on producing his party
tricks against irate opponents. With four wins from his side's
final five games required to clinch the title, Ferguson has no
intention of resting his star man. But the United boss is concerned
at the tactics Boro may use to stop him.
"I am fearing the worst about what could happen," declared
Ferguson. "There is a paranoia about the boy and I think
Middlesbrough will be aggressive tomorrow. "We have important games
coming up and I don't think they will be messing around." Ferguson
reiterated his concern at the Football Association's lack of
response to Boateng's comments, which he believes have cast a
shadow over the game. "It was very provocative and I am surprised
the FA didn't write to Boateng about it," he said.
"I don't think Cristiano will be too bothered but it has set a
different tone tomorrow, which could be a problem." With a
Champions League semi-final against AC Milan looming on Tuesday,
Ferguson knows he cannot afford to be without Ronaldo, who is
expected to be crowned PFA Player of the Year on Sunday
evening.
But he will place his trust in Chris Foy, ironically the referee
who took charge of the initial meeting at the Riverside in which
Ronaldo went down under Mark Schwarzer's challenge, to stamp out
any excess physicality on Boro's part. "I have not thought about
leaving Cristiano out," said Ferguson. "We have got to try to win
the league and we need our best players on the pitch.
"I am sure he won't be affected by what has been said because the
fantastic thing about him is that he is prepared to hold the ball
at any given moment and wants to attack defenders. "Then it is up
to the referee to control the game and decide whether players are
kicking him or fouling him."
