"You have to drag Cristiano off the training pitch sometimes because he likes to practice so much," said Ferguson. "It is part of his make-up but maybe he overdid it a little last week. We are trying to preserve his energies for the important games, so we are going to have to cut back on his practice.
"He really has been carrying the banner for us for a long time now but we are really down on players now so there is a big onus on the boy.
"Cristiano has this new publicity comparing him with Pele and Maradona. Of course it is ridiculous because he is only 22," said Ferguson. "He has a lot to go before he can be considered at that level. He has to play consistently in European games and also World Cup games before you can judge how great he is. But that is all in front of him. At this moment he is the best player in the world and I don't say that lightly because there are so many fantastic players around. His season has been incredible, 21 goals from a winger is exceptional. His position in the game at this moment is very high."