We'll know by the end of the season if this is the best Manchester United team ever, insists Ronaldo - Sport - Evening Standard
       

We'll know by the end of the season if this is the best Manchester United team ever, insists Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo believes the end of the season will provide a definite answer to whether the current Manchester United team is the best ever.

Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed recently that this was probably the best United squad "in terms of completeness" he has had under his command since taking over at Old Trafford in 1986.

Ronaldo also believes the current crop of players is packed with talent, but the Portuguese superstar believes the team needs to prove it over the next few weeks as they chase a Premier League and Champions League double.

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Jury is out: Ronaldo believes United have shown they are a fantastic team this season.

"It makes me feel good. He (Ferguson) has been at the club for 17-20 years, he has signed great players, incredible goalscorers," Ronaldo told Spanish newspaper Sport.

"I also think that this is the most talented team, but you can only confirm this at the end of the season, seeing what the team has won.

"There is a lot of talent, I think that we are going along the right path.

"Game after game we have shown that we have a fantastic team, with a lot of talent and magnificent players, but at the end of the season we will be able to provide a definite answer if this team is the best Manchester United side of all time.

"If we win the Champions League or the Premier League we will have a better idea."

Ronaldo was speaking ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

United are favourites heading into the tie, but Ronaldo is taking nothing for granted against a Barca side who were European champions just two years ago.

"At this stage there are no easy games. They are all very important matches where the pressure is very high for both teams and you need the maximum concentration. Anything can happen," said Ronaldo, who is looking forward to locking horns with Barca ace Lionel Messi.

"Messi is a very good player. It is a pleasure to play with players like him. We seem similar - we always want to score and win.

"Our objective is to win as quickly as possible. We will play to find the best result in the Nou Camp. I want to win."

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Nemesis: Ronaldo says he is looking forward to locking horns with Lionel Meesi.

On a personal level, Ronaldo admits he is thoroughly enjoying life at United, who he joined from Sporting Lisbon in 2003.

"I feel very proud to represent this club, for whom I have been playing for five years," he explained. "I feel privileged to have played so many games at this stadium for so many years. "It is a great honour for me to show my ability on the pitch, in front of the 60,000 or 70,000 people who go there every weekend, it is amazing.

"I am at a club which allows me to work well and win all the competitions that we participate in. I want to win both trophies with the team and individually."

Ronaldo is enjoying a remarkable season at United and has netted 28 league goals already as the Red Devils look to defend their Premier League title.

That form has seen the 23-year-old emerge as one of the favourites to walk off with a host of individual awards this year, but the flying winger insists his main aim is to help United to silverware.

"My objective at this point is to win all the competitions that I am still playing in," he added. "The Premier League is a reward for the whole year but they are all very important. I am not obsessed with the best player award. What I want is to play well and to always win."

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