Ronaldo is the best in Europe, says Larsson

Miss Dangerous...!!

Henrik Larsson has hailed his Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as Europe’s top player, ranking him above even former Barcelona colleague Ronaldhino

Larsson has spent only two-and-a-half weeks training and playing with Ronaldo, 21, but said he has been amazed by what he has seen.

United yesterday had a £20million bid for Owen Hargreaves turned down by Bayern Munich. But Larsson believes Ronaldo is in such stunning form that even missing out on England midfielder Hargreaves will not stop United winning the Premiership.

Larsson said: "Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the Premier League and in the whole of Europe. The things I have seen him do since I have been in Manchester have been incredible, amazing. It is just like a total show in training and even in the matches.

"This kid will one day arrive at the very top in the world of football — if he isn’t there already — because of the fact that he makes the most difficult plays look easy. I know both him and Ronaldhino and have now played with both of them. And Ronaldo is top in Europe at the moment.

"But Cristiano and Ronaldinho in the same team would be like a bomb. It would be an incredible spectacle for the people. What’s more, I am totally convinced the two are able to play in the same side."

Larsson’s dream team could have been a reality had United manager Sir Alex Ferguson succeeded in bringing Brazil star Ronaldhino to Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain three-and-half years ago.

But the 35-year-old Swede believes United are good enough to win this year’s title anyway. He has already set his sights on demoralising Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow, just as he did in helping Barcelona beat them in last season’s Champions League Final.

Larsson said: "United are the best team in England and at the moment they are superior to Chelsea, who have suffered a descent in comparison to the last year.

"For me each match with Manchester United is a challenge and a dream. I have scored in the FA Cup and now my desire is to savour a goal in the league, too. That is my immediate objective. A goal in Arsenal’s stadium would be magnificent for me.

"I am very excited about this experience with Manchester United. I had heard all the stories about this club but now I am living on the inside and it is spectacular. It is probably the best club in the world."

Arsenal beat United 1-0 at Old Trafford in September and last night their Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas challenged his team-mates to stop Ronaldo and give themselves the best chance of completing a double.

Fabregas said: "With the arrival of Larsson, United are most dangerous in attack. A line-up with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Larsson will always create chances. But the main drive in Manchester United is Cristiano Ronaldo. If he is stopped then that team is reduced by 50 per cent.

"Matches against Manchester United always are very special and we need to win this one to try to jump to third place. They arrive as the leaders but we are now in an excellent mood and we can win."

Games between Arsenal and United have been blighted by controversy in recent years, with Fabregas the man widely thought to have thrown the pizza that hit United boss Ferguson during the infamous ‘Battle of the Buffet’ in autumn 2004.

But Fabregas added: "A match between Arsenal and Manchester United always is a battle but first and foremost it is sport. The incidents of recent seasons are forgotten and I do not believe that United will arrive to provoke us in London."

United last night signalled their month by lodging a £20m bid with Bayern Munich.

Bayern immediately turned down the offer but hinted that Hargreaves, 25, might be allowed to go in the summer. Director-general Karl- Heinz Rummenigge said: "We can’t let him go this month. He must stay for now but who knows at the end of the season?"

United are planning a final attempt to buy Hargreaves and remain confident that an offer in the region of £23m will bring him to Old Trafford. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said early yesterday that the club were ‘banging against a brick wall’ in their attempts to land Hargreaves.
Late in the day, the midfielder indicated his desire for a move, saying: "With Rio, Wayne Rooney and players like that, United have incredible potential. I think they have the nucleus of a great squad and can achieve great things. For a club like intent to land Hargreaves this Man United to make an offer is something I appreciate."

Hargreaves is just back in training with Bayern after recovering from a broken leg.

Ferguson must choose between Larsson and Louis Saha for tomorrow’s game but has no doubt that Rooney will soon end his scoring drought.

The England striker has not scored since early in the game against Manchester City on December 9. But Ferguson said: "He just needs a little break. There’s nothing wrong. I’m not concerned. It will come.

"What he needs to do is to get these odd goals. He’s had spells of a two, a three, a two and he needs to get into that one-goal-a-game thing that strikers can do for you.

"If he does that, it will make a big, big difference to our run-in. He will be fine against Arsenal. He’s a big game player, isn’t he?" Razz

Daily Mail

tracylynn

Is that a picture of Ronaldo about to take a dive? LOL!!! I like Ronaldo but I can not stand how he likes to dive so much. He's probably the best when it comes to diving, though he seems to be cutting back on it just a bit, but I don't think he's the best in Europe. He's on the list but he's not the best.

Miss Dangerous...!!

I guess Ronaldo is playing his best season so far! he used to be selfish in the past but he improved himself when it comes to the team work so clearly.. you have to watch the match against Arsenal and you`ll see.
well, who`s the best player in Europ? Razz

yoanna

wouldn't go as that far. but i may be biased, since he annoys the hell out of me.

"Fabregas said: "With the arrival of Larsson, United are most dangerous in attack. A line-up with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Larsson will always create chances. But the main drive in Manchester United is Cristiano Ronaldo. If he is stopped then that team is reduced by 50 per cent."
i find it rather alarming to say the least.

tracylynn

Ronaldo is having a good year this year but that doesn't make him the best player in Europe. I like him but his diving annoys me. Granted, he has cut back on it but he still does it and he's quite good at it. Heck, he should be the diving coach for any team out there.

Paddy · I'm a chatterbox! Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 737 votes: 7

Well I look at diving as something normal. There´s nothing wrong if your good at it and you don´t get caught. But if you do, in my opinion you should´t get a yellow but a red card instead.

tracylynn

yoanna

normal may it be, still, seems kind of desperate for my part.

Schweini_rules

everytme he remembers that Euro final back in 2004 he cries Laughing

yoanna

generally, he looks like crying all the time. just like trez.

fanOfBayern

Ronaldo is getting better day by day,,,,but nowhere near the best in europe...

FC Bajern

C. Ronaldo? please. he is very imature, and needs to grow up. all he does is complain. he is ok , not the best. give him a few more years

angel717

He is good, but not enough to call him Europe's to player..
my God, what a suck up.. Laughing

angel717

Miss Dangerous...!!

I believe that C.Ronaldo is one of the best in Europ! yeah.. he used to diving a lot when he first came to United but this season is completely different! now he`s one of the biggest reasons that United on top in the league and still have a chance to win the Champions league or even the FA Cup. he`s playing for the whole team now and his passes are very important.. he scored so many goals this season! and create a lot too!! you have to watch him carefully and then make your comments!