Paul Wilson in The Guardian:
'He winks to the left,
He winks to the right,
Sky's boy Geoff Shreeves,
Spoiled Ferguson's night.'
Apologies for adapting one of the more amusing Old Trafford chants, and I am aware that Manchester United fans normally sing 'plays on the left/right' to avoid any suggestion that Cristiano Ronaldo might have anything to wink about, but the television interview that has been dividing the nation all week will clearly be remembered for longer than the FA Cup quarter-final and may even come to rival Kevin Keegan's plaintive 'I'd love it' rant in 1996.
Sky were handed that memorable and much loved footage on a plate. A couple of routine questions and Keegan suddenly unburdened himself before a startled audience. Monday's drama was rather more forced. Considering Sky had hauled Ronaldo before the cameras to present him with the man-of-the-match award their line of interrogation was pointed, to say the least, and Ferguson was bound to be upset about his player having to defend himself against allegations of serial cheating.
On the other hand, at least half the country is probably of the opinion that Ronaldo does cheat, or has in the past, and Shreeves would have been accused of ducking the issue had he merely patted the player on the back and complimented him on his performance. Not only did Shreeves show persistence and no little bravery in asking awkward questions, he was rewarded with the journalistic equivalent of gold dust when a slightly exasperated Ronaldo suggested one of the reasons controversy follows him around might be: 'Because I'm too good.'
That quote was assiduously picked up by all the following day's newspapers, and just as with Keegan and 'I'd love it...' it is safe to assume it will follow Ronaldo around for some time to come. It will certainly turn up again before the end of the season, because the controversy that dogs Ronaldo is currently the only thing preventing him being a shoo-in for footballer of the year.
Well, perhaps not the only thing. There is also Didier Drogba, whose goals in what still could prove an extremely successful Chelsea campaign make him Ronaldo's only rival for the individual honours. Drogba has done his share of diving, too, yet it is precisely the notion that he has cleaned up his act and concentrated on staying on his feet this season that makes him a more acceptable choice in many people's eyes. Deserving as Drogba might be, however, what with all the joy in heaven over a sinner who repents, the perception that Ronaldo remains unrepentant is what is currently keeping the Chelsea player in the running.