Ronaldo made a goal-scoring return to United’s starting line-up last night in a comfortable Carling Cup victory over Middlesbrough and received a warm welcome from United’s fans. And Ferguson believes that Ronaldo has the opportunity to follow his dream of wearing the white of Madrid without alienating those supporters, as long as he delays his ambition until he has driven United on to further success after his incredible contribution to United’s league and European double last season.
Ronaldo risked losing the support of the United fans after a summer of courting Real in which he repeatedly expressed his desire to move to Spain and refused to commit his future to United.
However, Ferguson fully understands his player’s position and will not stand in Ronaldo’s way – eventually.
“Graeme Souness was right when he said that just as all Italians dream of one day playing for Juventus or the Milan clubs, so southern Europeans want at some point to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona,” said Ferguson.
“So I understand what was going on in Cristiano’s mind when he declared he wanted to join Real. But once we had talked, he accepted it was a move for the future.
“The crowd still chant Cantona’s name so I told Cristiano, ‘Leave a hero like Eric’, and one day he will – but not yet of course.”
The supporters inside Old Trafford were singing his name after he opened the scoring against Middlesbrough to start United towards a 3-1 victory.
Middlesbrough equalised through Adam Johnson but Ryan Giggs restored United’s lead before Nani wrapped the game up late on with United’s third.
However, the night was soured for Ferguson when Emanuel Pogatetz was sent off for a horrendous challenge which left Rodrigo Possebon with a suspected broken leg midway through the second-half.
The 19-year-old Brazilian needed oxygen on the pitch and play was held up for five minutes following a two-footed challenge from the Austrian.
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