UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Group E Villareal v Manchester Utd:MANCHESTER UNITED have paid for petulance in Villarreal before but that did not deter Alex Ferguson from defending Cristiano Ronaldo's right to respond to his detractors on their return to Spanish soil last night.
Aggrieved at criticism of the prospective World Player of the Year for gesturing to the crowd at Villa Park, the United manager claimed Ronaldo was perfectly justified in reacting to football's equivalent of being "hit over the head with a baton".
The Portugal international trained and travelled with United to Valencia yesterday, where the European champions are based for tonight's Group E game with the "Yellow Submarine", despite a bruising encounter against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Withdrawn against Martin O'Neill's side as a consequence, Ronaldo signalled to home supporters as he left the field to raise further questions over the 23-year-old's ability to withstand the abuse that accompanies his every step in a United jersey.
A similar episode occurred against Stoke City this month, while he also rose to the bait for Portugal against Brazil last week, but Ferguson said he has no concerns over the winger's self-control.
It was at the El Madrigal stadium in 2005 where Wayne Rooney received a red card for sarcastically applauding the referee but, on the eve of United's return, Ferguson said: "It all depends on what side of the fence you are on. I've seen criticism of Ronaldo today saying that he couldn't take it on Saturday but I wonder how many people would take it if they were walking down the street and so many people hit them over the head with a baton? How many would take it?
"He was tackled many times on Saturday, most of the time fairly, but a few occasions they weren't good and he didn't get the decisions he deserved. But that's the mantle you carry as a great player. He knows that and he has to get on with it."
When asked if Ronaldo was playing a dangerous game by reacting to the crowd, however, the United manager added: "Tell me someone who likes getting abused? Will you please point them out to me?"
Ronaldo's behaviour was the only irritable subject for Ferguson before a tie that should hold little concern for United even if they were to succumb to their first defeat in 18 Champions League fixtures.
United and Villarreal need only a point from the final two group games to progress to the knock-out phase and Ferguson's team could still qualify with two defeats providing Aalborg do not triumph by a four-goal margin or more at Old Trafford on December 10th.
The prospect should not hold any fear for last season's double winners but the United manager said he would select a strong side tonight and pay no regard to Sunday's impending Manchester derby at Eastlands.
Tomasz Kuszczak will play instead of the rested Edwin van der Sar in goal but, even with Dimitar Berbatov, Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves, Wes Brown and Gary Neville absent, the United manager is not tempted to ring wholesale changes.
"The derby doesn't come into my thinking," he said. "We want to win and to win the group. It was different when we played Celtic at Celtic Park because that was a Wednesday game and we had Arsenal on the Saturday lunchtime. This time we have plenty of time to recover for the derby."
Ferguson believes his squad are better equipped to try to retain their crown than they were in 1999. They go into the match on the back of a 17-match unbeaten run. He said: "We were very naive the next season. I think teams having watched us the previous season worked us out tactically. That took us by surprise. We should have changed but we did not and suffered.
"This season I think we have a better team and a better squad. So we can make changes tactically. I think we have improved on that score.
"Players grow up in Europe and become familiar with the change in the way the game is played."
Apart from Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, Ferguson is convinced Barcelona will provide the main danger.
He said: "I place them alongside the English teams as possible winners. They have to be the big threat to everyone.
"Our experience of playing against them last season, they are a very difficult team to play against.
"They have changed their format this season.
"The English teams have established themselves as a consistent threat to all of the teams but Barcelona are a dangerous side."
Guardian Service
GROUP H
JUVENTUS have already qualified for the knockout phase. Real Madrid would join them in the last 16 if they beat BATE Borisov away and Zenit St Petersburg fail to win at home against Juventus.
Wesley Sneijder, who scored Real's winner against Recreativo Huelva in the league on Saturday, has shaken off a tricep injury sustained in the same game and has joined the team for the journey to Belarus. In-form forward Gonzalo Higuain sprained an ankle and is ruled out.
There is, however, concern that the game may not go ahead with the Horodskiy Stadium pitch frozen under a layer of snow yesterday.
