‘Now that I am facing suspension, people will be asking even more
questions about the United defence, as they always do when
we concede a few goals. One of the answers, I am sure, will
be Wes Brown, who will be needed by club and country over
the next six months.
‘He has only just come back from a cruciate ligament injury, one of
the most serious any footballer can suffer, and had played
one reserve match. It can take weeks to recover your best
form and, with his abilities, Wes just needs time.’
On Ronaldo:
‘He has taken some stick for falling over since he came to England
last summer but anyone who has called him a diver should see
the lumps and gashes in his shins. I was amazed when he
climbed on the treatment table the other day and I saw all
the damage his legs have suffered.
‘He is a fantastic talent, the sort of player our fans love because
they have been brought up to expect wingers who can take men
on. Our manager has always had the courage to go with flair
and Ronaldo has been showing recently that he has growing
awareness to go with all the tricks.
‘He has hit some fantastic crosses, like the one for Ruud van
Nistelrooy that secured our 4-3 win at Everton. He has also
come back stronger after a fortnight’s break last month.
People are surprised how tall he is when they meet him
because he is over 6ft 1in. He has the pace and, as he fills
out over the next couple of years, he will be a defender’s
nightmare.’