Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to renew his love affair with Manchester United's supporters after revealing that the Portuguese forward will return to action
MANCHESTER: Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to renew his love affair with Manchester United's supporters after revealing that the Portuguese forward will return to action in the Champions League clash with Villarreal at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Ronaldo, 23, has yet to appear for the European champions this season after spending the first part of the summer trying to engineer a transfer to Real Madrid before undergoing ankle surgery after Euro 2008.
Despite initially being ruled out until October, the Portugal winger has made rapid progress on his way back to full fitness and Ferguson confirmed that he would be involved against Villarreal, who ended last season as runners-up to Real in La Liga.
Many United fans remain angry over Ronaldo's open admission that he wanted to leave the club for Madrid. But Ferguson dismissed suggestions that the player could be targeted for abuse by some of the club's followers.
"I don't think there are any concerns about that," Ferguson said. "The fans understand the situation, that he was a young man tempted by the lure of money, but since we told him our decision he has accepted it well and his training has been fantastic.
"He had said that he would like to go to Real Madrid, but once we had our meeting, that was all finished. He accepted our decision and just got on with it and there hasn't been one problem since.
"And in terms of his injury, he has been one of the best patients I've ever seen. He has been working hard, every day until 5pm, and he has shown a real determination to get back and play for us.
"There will be no problems whatsoever with Cristiano and he will certainly be involved against Villarreal, although it is probably more likely that he will start on the bench, despite the injury concerns over the other players.
"He has shown fantastic maturity over the last few weeks. There has been no pettiness, no chucking toys out of the pram. He has worked hard every day and his recovery is a credit to him and the physios."
Ronaldo's return is likely to be well-timed with Ferguson admitting that England midfielder Michael Carrick faces between four and six weeks out with a cracked bone in his foot sustained during the weekend defeat at Liverpool.
With doubts over Dimitar Berbatov and Wes Brown, Villarreal could be arriving at Old Trafford to face the holders at the perfect time.
But United forward Carlos Tevez insists that the players are determined to prove a point after the hurtful defeat at Anfield against bitter rivals Liverpool.
He said: "We are still a strong squad, that is why we won two titles last season and why you will see a reaction after the Liverpool defeat.
"It is always important for a club like United to win something and we want to show our strength by retaining our titles this season."
United are due to seal a permanent deal for Tevez once his two-year loan expires at the end of the season, but the Argentinian admits that he is hoping for the club to thrash out a contract even sooner.
He said: "From the moment that I came to the club, I have said that I would love to sign a long term contract.
"So it would be wonderful if the chairman places a long-term deal before me. I would sign it without a doubt."
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