Ferguson: Ronaldo Must Learn To Keep Cool

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Cristiano Ronaldo goes down a bit too easily against Renán Calle during the Club World Cup final between Manchester United and Liga de Quito (Mexsport)

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Cristiano Ronaldo that he must lean to keep his frustrations in check and understand that he will be a target for opposing defenders.

The Portuguese winger has cut a frustrated figure on plenty of occasions this season and has been involved in a series of controversial incidents.

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.”

Manchester United travel to Southampton tomorrow for the third round of the FA Cup, although they are likely to be without Ronaldo who is expected to be rested as Ferguson rotates his squad.

Gill Clark, Goal.com