I’m not talking about the number of goals he’s scored or even his overall performance. It’s been his attitude.

I’ve been tearing my hair out (which isn’t a good idea when your as follicly challenged as I am!) and some times even embarrassed when he throws one of his tantrums on the pitch.

At times it’s cost us.

Instead of tracking back and helping the team he’s been whining to the ref or flapping his arms about complaining to the gods, while leaving his team mates in the crapper.

The game against Villa was a classic example, after giving the ball away he made no attempts to get it back or to help defend. Villa went on to score within seconds.

Step In Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson decided enough was enough and had a word with Ronaldo

No, I don’t accept that he will give goals away because of the player he is, I speak to him about it. I don’t accept that from anyone

In European football, if you give the ball away it takes a long time to get it back.

He always feels he’s not getting the proper protection from referees and I think that, maybe, in quite a few cases he is right, and a few cases he is not right.

It’s hard when a player who wants to entertain doesn’t get everything his own way. But you can’t get everything your own way.

He understands that and there’s not a problem with that. It’s just a frustration that he feels he doesn’t get the decision and he gets upset about it

I think, obviously, he doesn’t enjoy that and he knows he’s letting himself down more than anything

He holds his hands up. I have had to remind him about that but I’m not getting into what has been said.

It was the first time I can remember Fergie saying something critical of Ronaldo in public. He may have done it behind closed doors but never to the press.

Most mangers wouldn’t have taken such a big risk of openly criticising their best player, a player who during the summer openly admitted he wanted to join another club.

But Fergie, the best man manger football has ever seen, knew exactly what to say and when to say it.

And he’s got the response he was looking for.

The second leg against Porto Ronaldo scored probably his best goal ever, (when you consider some of the goals he’s scored that’s no easy task) and also put in a team performance, tracking back when the team needed him, running down the clock and playing up front, a position he says he doesn’t really like playing in.

He’s even responded to Fergie’s comments by saying,

It is not a problem

I always respect the manager and coaches because I want to learn. If he says that, it is because he thinks it is true.

But I think I have been playing well and I have scored a few important goals.

Turning Point For Ronaldo’s Season

I cant help but feel this could be the turning point in his season. So far I think he’s only been playing at 60-75% of his potential, with the kick up the arse he needed I think his attitude and ultimately performances could start to emulate that of last season.

Image what that means for United!

It was one of those matches where, if in the previous weeks we’d been playing good tonight would have simply been adequate. But since we’ve been faltering this was a performance that inspires confidence and says to our up coming opponents “we’re back and our defence is going to be hard to get through”

What could have been a frustrating and tough match was made a lot easier with a brilliant strike in the 6th minute by Ronaldo from 40 yards, which only he would attempt. In truth no keeper would have been able to save. See Ronaldo’s goal here.

It was the goal in the 6th minute that really set up the whole match, it meant Porto couldn’t just defend their lead and try to counter attack, which I think was what they we’re hoping to do.

Having Rio back showed how much we’ve missed him. Not just in the defensive duty’s he performs but in the organisation he does and the calm he brings to those around.

Evra also deserves a mention. He was back to his usual little warrior self. Took a knock to the face when he headed one of their player, but carried on and didn’t let it shake him up.

The Midfield, which consisted of Rooney on the right, Carrick, Anderson and Giggs, really fulfilled their defensive duties. The didn’t perhaps hold the ball as well as they could have, but they were still good. Battled when needed, especially Anderson, and never really gave Porto any gaps they could exploit.

While Ronaldo didn’t really do much other then the goal tonight he still looked good. He tracked back when other players were out of position. He didn’t throw mini tantrums when he wasn’t getting the ball or was fouled. Towards the end he held the ball up and helped run the clock down.

Dimi was a bit of a disappointment, never really got in the game, but then I just don’t think this was the right game for him, perhaps if we hadn’t gone 1-0 up inside 6 minutes he would have been called on more.

Tonight shows that in the first match we were tied from only having two days rest after villa and that we were taken aback by how attacking they were. First match I thought Porto were really good, this match, with us rested they looked little more then average.

My Man Of Match

It’s between Wayne Rooney and Anderson for me. Both battled really well. Anderson put in a great shift considering it’s his first start since he got injured.

But for me the winner has to be Rooney, played out of position, didn’t complain, didn’t make any stupid challenges, got forward plenty and did the job Sir Alex sent him out to do.

Teams

How Man Utd Lined Up

Subs Not Used: Ben Foster, Gary Neville, Jonny Evans,  Carlos Tevez, Federico Macheda

How Porto Lined Up

Subs Not Used: Nuno, Milan Stepanov, Freddy Guarin, Andres Madrid

Stats

Goals: Ronaldo 6

Bookings: Vidic 42, Evra 59