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Originally Posted by Manchester Evening News

Ronaldo closes on Best record



Stuart Mathieson
14/ 1/2008

CRISTIANO Ronaldo is on course to topple George Best as United's most prolific goalscoring winger.

The 22-year-old's first ever Reds' hat-trick in the 6-0 thrashing of Newcastle takes the Portuguese international's season tally to 22.

That's just one short of his 2006-07 contribution and 10 behind Best's 1968 phenomenal haul of 32 in all competitions.

Best was Old Trafford's top scorer in four seasons in the 60s and 70s.

Ronaldo has beaten the Irish genius's 1971 tally, is one behind his haul from 1970, and four away from equalling his 1972 contribution.

Then he'll have that figure from 40 years ago in his sights.

Of course, United won the European Cup that term and Best was European Footballer of the Year.

But for now Ronaldo is more content that the champions are back on top of the Premiership.

"I am very proud and happy because I scored three important goals," he said.

Important

"But we need to focus on the fact we are top of the league. That's the most important thing.

"The team is very confident and we feel great. We are playing well. It is great for the spirit. It is fantastic. We are very confident and playing some fantastic football.

"In the second half, we were brilliant. We need to keep going like that."

Ronaldo had his match ball signed by all United's dressing room and it will now have pride of place in his home.

But Sir Alex Ferguson believes the winger could be making room for a few more.

"Cristiano was a very happy bunny in the dressing room," said the United manager.

"It is a good moment for the boy. He has scored two on many occasions. It has been coming and now he has broken it. We are all delighted for him.

"Who is to say he can't get many more hat-tricks for us "The way he is going, who is to say where he will finish up. He is improving all the time.

"A haul of 22 goals already is marvellous. We said in the summer `could he do it again?' I couldn't see why not.

"He is an improving player. He is showing more maturity. His decision-making is getting better all the time. His knowledge is getting better."

...........


To add another question on top of the one asked in the poll:

Do you believe Ronaldo will top Best's record this season?

K. Have fun.

[funkdoctorspock]

Ronaldo only needs 10 goals to tie Best's record for most goals by a winger?

We just crossed the halfway point and Ronaldo already has 22 goals. At the rate he's going, he'll have this broken next month.

To answer the poll question, I still think its way too early to be talking about Ronaldo and legacies at United. Especially eclipsing one George Best.

Don't get me wrong. Ronaldo has shown what a skilled player he is. Lets give him some years to crave his own legacy out.

[Forever_United]

amazing player. i hope he stays at this club for a very long time. he is so entertaining and fast-paced.

[pantlessjim]

I think he will definitely get the record, but I don't think he will have the legacy that Best has. Best is a legend, and in my opinion, the best ever player to ever wear the number 7. Doing what he did, at his age, and during that time period was remarkable.

[moley]

I think Ronaldo will break the record unless he has to spend time on the sidelines.

As for him becoming a united legend, I think he has the potentil to be our greatest ever but he would need to spend the majority of his years at the club and be consistanly fantastic for all of them.

[lorken]

I think he will take the record, but slow down a bit. comparing him to Best, arguably the best player this club has ever had. Maybe in six or seven years.

[macca247]

ronaldo is the best player of our times as for comparing with best come back to me in 5 years

[Rockynaldo]

Every chance of beating the record, providing he remains injury free.

As for eclipsing Best, hmmz difficult to say. Best's fame and popularity was due in part to his being the first pop-star footballer, a personification of youth culture and the swinging sixties. Ronaldo might surppass him on the pitch, but not off it.

[GocartMozart]

the one thing that will help ronaldo is that he has to be this good for only another 4 years to match best. George's career ended far too early. In modern football, and with Ronaldo's mentality, I don't see him ending his career until he's past 30.

[ravishabc]

that record would be in the name of ronaldo before the end of feburary