Ferguson defends Ronaldo
Ferguson says Ronaldo will not be unsettled by Mourinho's comments
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Tuesday, 01, May 2007 09:48
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has defended Cristiano Ronaldo after Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho questioned the winger's education and class.
Mourinho and Ronaldo have been embroiled in an argument that started when the Blues boss claimed that United never have penalties awarded against them.
The 22-year-old responded by calling Mourinho a liar - something which caused Mourinho to question Ronaldo's upbringing.
However Ferguson is keen to put an end to the row and has defended his player from Mourinho's criticism.
He said: "Maybe the tactic is to unsettle the boy, I don't know. He's barking up the wrong tree there, but I think he was below the belt bringing class into it.
"Coming from a poor working class does not mean to say you're not educated."
Ferguson says the fact that Ronaldo has not responded to the latest verbal volley from Mourinho shows that he has been brought up correctly and praised the behaviour of his younger forward.
"What Ronaldo has got is principles," he continued.
"The boy's not responded to it whereas some people who are educated have no principles, so we're leaving the matter that way."
The pair are due to face each other in the Premiership next week and Ferguson is ready to put an end to the argument, saying: "We'll try to draw a line under this, of course."
Ferguson wants Ronaldo to be able to concentrate fully on the difficult task that awaits the whole United team when they travel to the San Siro to face AC Milan in their Champions League semi-final tomorrow.