WAYNE ROONEY has tipped his old pal Cristiano Ronaldo to still be fab at 40 for Manchester United.
The Reds’ greatest ever goalscorer says the five-time Ballon D’Or winner is capable of emulating Ryan Giggs’ achievement in continuing to play Premier League football for United beyond his 40th birthday.
The Portuguese legend, who turns 37 in February, negotiated a three-year deadline-day deal, and is expected to make his eagerly anticipated second debut for United against Newcastle tomorrow – 12 years after his last appearance for the club.
Rooney says United fans will see a very different Ronaldo to the swashbuckling winger who blew defenders away with his explosive pace and trickery during his formative years at Old Trafford.
But he claims Ron’s eye for goal and poacher’s instinct will see him still terrorising defenders and flexing those famous abs when he hits 40.
Rooney, the scorer of a staggering 253 goals for United, said: “Cristiano’s coming back into the best league in the world, so he knows it is going to be challenging.
“And, of course, coming back to Manchester United, he’ll want to prove himself again at the club, and he sets the highest standards for himself.
“But if there’s one player in the world who can live up to that challenge, it’s Cristiano.
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“I think he’s a completely different player to when he was last playing in the Premier League.
“The last time he played here he was more of a runner, a great dribbler, with pace and power, whereas now he’s a goalscorer.
“His game has adapted dramatically since then and I’m not at all surprised he is still going strong at 36.
“His ability is obviously one thing, but he’s also looked after himself massively, you can see the shape he’s in, he’s still in great condition.
“So it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s playing until he’s 40, like Giggsy did, and still scoring goals.”
Rooney’s United scoring record may not be in imminent danger as Ronaldo’s 118 goals in 292 games for United leaves him 135 goals off his pace.
However United’s master marksman says he admires his mate’s courage in putting himself back in the firing line in the most difficult position on the pitch.
Rooney retired at 35 to prove himself as a manager with Derby County.
But he had moved back into midfield long before then to preserve his legs in his twilight seasons, before heading to the Championship.
It’s a common route for even the greatest players, with midfielders also moving back into defence.
Yet Ronaldo has taken the opposite route and moved from wide areas, into the heart of the action to pit his wits against some of the best defenders in world football.
Rooney believes there are only two players in world football capable of cutting it at that level of intensity.
And he says United’s younger generation might have to run the odd extra mile to help out the old boy!
“The general rule is the older you get, the further back you play,” Rooney explained.
“With Cristiano it’s different and it’s the same with Lionel Messi. Those two players are probably the only two at this level who only play in one half of the pitch.
“It’s box-to-box, high energy defending which uses all your energy. But when you have the ball in one half of the pitch, it’s all about scoring goals.
“The rest of his teammates will have to work a little harder. But if it’s anything like the last time – towards the last two years of playing with him – the team allowed him to do that because Cristiano scores you goals and wins you games.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
