Ronaldo will only get better, vows Fergie

The Portuguese star took his tally for the season to 33 with both goals in the Barclays Premier League leaders' 2-0 defeat of Bolton on Wednesday.

That saw him eclipse United legend George Best's club-record mark for a winger and earned him yet more glittering plaudits.

The 23-year-old was named player of year last season and seems to be well on the way retaining that accolade.

"The boy's form obviously demands your attention and you are giving him plenty of that," Ferguson told the media today.

"I can't do anything about that, it's not my department. He wouldn't be getting it if he wasn't doing it. We have to be pleased with that.

"His form is absolutely fantastic, there is no end to where we think he can go. He has got the world in front of him.

"His tenacity to keep getting the ball and courage to keep it up all the time is terrific.

"I want the boy to continue doing what he is doing and hopefully it'll be a successful season for the team."

United take on fierce rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday looking to protect a three-point lead at the top of the table.

It could prove a pivotal day in the title race with United's closest pursuers, Arsenal, taking on third-placed Chelsea later in the day.

Just five points separate the top three sides with eight matches to go while Liverpool, their fellow Champions League quarter-finalists, are 11 points behind the leaders.

With the games being televised back to back it is another showcase day for the Premier League but not one Ferguson expects to be decisive.

The Scot said: "I don't think you can say that. I think the team that shows real consistency now will win the league - hopefully we can do that.

"They always tell you it's the computer that arranges these games but you have to think it is planned!

"We are first on the menu. We hope we win our match and we can then sit and think about what is the best result for us in the other match."

Ferguson joked: "I think if we win and Chelsea and Arsenal lose it would be a good day!

"I think all three of us involved in this race have got difficult games. No one can say they are a certainty to win it."

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford in fine form having won their last seven games.

Much attention also surrounds striker Fernando Torres, who has scored 27 goals this season including 10 in his last eight matches.

Ferguson expects the atmosphere, for what he refers to as a derby, to be as ferocious as usual.

He said: "You can't avoid the intensity of it, the tension, the atmosphere.

"The Liverpool game brings out a certain anticipation in players. It's a game players all want to play in, so we'll have some disappointed players tomorrow who are not playing.

"Liverpool coming to our ground, a derby game, is always a difficult game. They are very solid defensively and they are talking about the Gerrard-Torres partnership.

"We know about Steven Gerrard, of course, he has played many of these derby games.

"We have to do our preparation but if we play to our form we will have a good chance against anyone.

"We hope we can continue our form and get the result we want."

Ferguson rates Rio Ferdinand as doubtful for the match but has not given up hope the England defender will overcome a back injury in time to play.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is also hoping to prove his fitness after two games out with a groin injury while striker Louis Saha should shake off the knock he sustained against Bolton.

England right-back Gary Neville is now "not far away" from a return having featured again for the reserves yesterday.

Neville has been out for a year with a series of groin and ankle problems.

Mikael Silvestre, out since September with a knee injury, also stepped up his comeback with a 75-minute run-out for the second string.