Clayton Blackmore has his own special niche in Manchester
United's European history - but though his career continues with
Porthmadog, the former Wales international is relieved stopping
Cristiano Ronaldo was never one of his duties.
Blackmore will always be remembered as the first United player to
score a goal after English teams were re-admitted to European
competition following the ban imposed after the Heysel
disaster.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world at the moment,"
said Blackmore. "When I watch wide players these days I always
think, 'Would I want to play against him'. In Ronaldo's case, the
answer is categorically no.
"As someone who played with and against Ryan Giggs, I know exactly
how good he is. But Ronaldo is something different. "He does things
in a game situation most people only practise in training. He
backheels the ball, plays one-twos with himself, does these reverse
passes. Then there are the stepovers. People think he is just doing
them for effect. But as a defender, it is a total nightmare.
"I have never seen anyone with such quick feet. It is like a blur
and you know, at some point, he is going to take the ball with him.
"The only way I can see it is possible to stop him is by getting
touch-tight every time the ball gets near him. But even then, he
has the pace to get round the back."
