In a whirlwind of 10 days, Cristiano Ronaldo Dos Santos Aveiro went from being one of Europe�s hottest prospects to becoming Manchester United�s new number seven. Ronaldo arrived in Manchester six days after starring for Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese club�s 3-1 pre-season friendly win over United.

Just 24 hours later he was being described as �one of the most exciting young players I�ve ever seen� by Sir Alex Ferguson in a press release announcing his transfer. A Day later he was appearing alongside Kleberson at a media conference to introduce United�s forth and fifth signing of the summer. Three days after he was making his debut, tearing Bolton�s defence apart and hearing his name sung by the Stretford End.

He was a hit with the supporters before even kicking a ball. As he stepped from the bench in the 59th minute of the first home game of the season Old Trafford rose to greet him. It was quite a welcome for a player that the majority of fans hadn�t seen play before. But maybe they sensed what was coming?

Having been dumped on his backside inside a minute of his debut he jumped to his feet and set about Bolton. A game that appeared to be drifting along at 1-0 had suddenly burst into life.

Displaying a dazzling array of step-overs and feints he dribbled past Kevin Nolan and Nicky Hunt, creating chances and winning a penalty within minutes of his introduction.

He then switched to the right wing and proved that he really is �equal-footed�, tormenting the other side of Bolton�s defence. The fans loved it, chanting �You�ve only come to see Ronaldo� in the direction of the away end.

Stunning display against Bolton

At the final whistle he was congratulated by his new teammates and shook hands with fans as he left the pitch. As debuts go it had been one of the more impressive and there was no doubting who would be taking the plaudits in the Sunday papers. Especially after Sir Alex told journalists, �I think the fans have got a new hero to talk about tonight.�

A few days before the Bolton game, on Wednesday 13 August, Cristiano Ronaldo became United�s fourth signing of the summer (he�d have been fifth but for the fact he beat Kleberson in putting pen to paper because the Brazilian needed a hearing to obtain a work permit). The press release announcing the deal is sent out, and united are granted the first exclusive interview with the teenager.

Leaving Old Trafford at the same time as Ronaldo I witness his first encounter with United fans. With his agent and interpreter he follows the club photographer John Peters across the forecourt and Sir Matt Busby Way into the car park. He�s surrounded by supporters hoping for an autograph. Some hang back tentatively, not quite sure who the tall youngster is, others though have read their morning papers and recognise him as the man dubbed the �New Ronaldo�. He happily signs shirts as he heads towards John�s car. Meanwhile, a television crew snatches a soundbite from his agent Luis Correia.

�Cristiano is delighted to have joined Manchester United,� he tells Sky Sports News, �the biggest club in the world.�

Moments later Cristiano starts the 10-minute journey to the training ground, driving through Trafford Park, joining the M60 motorway and then pulling off towards Carrington.

Once inside the Trafford Training Centre he is taken up to see the manager in his office and we wait for him to complete his first few tasks as a Manchester United player. He�s introduced to his new teammates, has something to eat in the staff canteen and is taken to be measured up for his kit in the changing room area. An hour later, he joins us in the pressroom.

�When a club of the stature of Manchester United come in for you and want to sign you, you don�t think twice,� says Ronaldo through his interpreter.

�In my opinion, Manchester United is the greatest club in the world and for that reason I picked them.�

It�s difficult to judge the tone of a player�s answers when using an interpreter, but Ronaldo�s body language is that of a confident professional, several years his senior. He may only be 18 years old, but he exhibits as much confidence off the pitch as he does on it and any feelings of bewilderment he may be experiencing due to speed of the transfer aren�t showing. He seems to be taking the tag of British football�s most expensive teenager in his stride.

Ronaldo’s delighted to join United…

�Lots of young players have triumphed at United, so why can�t it happen to me?� he replies when I ask if he�s concerned by the size of the transfer fee and at the prospect of adapting to another country at such a tender age. �I�m not worried I�m young. It�s an incentive to do the best I can. I�m living a dream I never want to wake up from. I knew United were tracking various Sporting players but I never figured I would be the one chosen.

�The Premier League is shown on Portuguese television so I know lots about English football. From what I have seen I think that with work, hard work. I will be able to push for a first team place. I think my game will suit the English way of playing. I am especially proud to be the first Portuguese player to join United.�

�Born in Funchal on the island of Madeira, Ronaldo�s short football career began at Andorinha where his father Diniz worked as a kit man. From the age of 12 was spotted by Sporting Lisbon. After youth level, he broke into the Sporting first team. On his debut he scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Moreirense and ended the season having made 23 appearances. Them came his performance against United which confirmed for Sir Alex Ferguson that the players was ready to make the move to Old Trafford.

�I don�t think the United players knew anything about him but in the pre-match talk we said this was a very talented boy,� recalls the Gaffer. �They knew that at half-time!

After the game, the lads in the dressing room talked about him constantly, and on the plane back from the game they urged me to sign him � that�s how highly they treated him.�

The United boss also points out that the last time his players eulogised about a player to the extent they did on the plane home from Lisbon was just prior to him signing Eric Cantona. Nobody at the club is saying that he�ll go on to have the impact that Eric did but the United players� reaction to playing against the 18 year old indicates just how highly they regard him.

�I had heard one or two rumours about him before the Lisbon game,� the Reds� skipper Roy Keane admits, �but the quality really showed through that night. He is a big strong lad and his movement was excellent. He really looks a hell of a player and we were talking about him so much afterwards.�

Perhaps part of the reason he was so impressive against United was that he didn�t know that they were looking to sign him.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson complained after the 0-0 draw against Villarreal in the Champions League that Ronaldo was a victim of systematic fouling in Europe and England.

Joan Capdevila was sent off seven minutes from time last night for a high challenge which left stud marks above the Portugal winger’s knee.

Ronaldo had been doubtful for the match after suffering cuts to his ankle in the draw against Aston Villa at the weekend.

He nursed his bruises over the weekend and then made a surprise return to training where he pleaded with Ferguson that he should play.

Ronaldo, who has been courted by Real Madrid, then had to endure a constant barrage of taunts from the crowd at El Madrigal.

But Rooney insists his team-mate will carry on playing his normal game.

“He is a high-profile player and wherever he goes he is always going to get this kind of treatment,” said the England striker. “He is big enough to deal with it.”

Accompanied to Paris by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo collected the Ballon d’Or - golden ball - trophy from France Football magazine.

“I’ve been playing for Manchester for five years - I feel at home,” said the 23-year-old Ronaldo.

“I’m happy at Manchester and want to stay.”

During the summer Ronaldo was linked with a move to Real Madrid after a season in which he scored 42 goals for United as Ferguson’s side won the Premier League and the Champions League.

“I’m an ambitious person. I don’t want it to stop here,” said Ronaldo reflecting on his success. “I think we have to keep trying to win trophies, collectively and individually. I’m on the right track. 606: DEBATE Well done Ronnie for your great achievment. You deserve it!

“It’s always special to reach this level, the important thing is to stay there. The idea is to keep progressing, collectively and individually as well.

“Without my team I couldn’t have won it, and I have to thank them also.”

Ronaldo was the first United player to win the award since George Best in 1968 and Ferguson predicted the best was yet to come from the Portuguese forward.

“It’s a long time since we won one, 40 years ago,” said Ferguson. “Of course, he’s only 23. He’s only just beginning. When players get to 26 they start to mature.”

The winger was pictured reacting angrily at Aston Villa on Saturday as he left the field after the Premier League game.

Portuguese international Ronaldo picked up a leg injury in the 0-0 draw and was the subject of taunts from the crowd.

That led to suggestions he was struggling to come to terms with his status as the best player in the world - but Ferguson scoffed at that idea.

Speaking ahead of the Champions League match against Villarreal tomorrow, the Scot said: “It depends on what side of the fence you are on really. There has been some criticism today of Ronaldo that he couldn’t take it on Saturday.

“I wonder how many people take it when you are walking down the street and so many people hit you over the head with a baton? How many times can you take it? Tell me someone who likes getting abused? Will you please point them out to me.

“I thought he showed admirable courage on taking the ball on Saturday. He always does. He was tackled many, many times, most of the time fairly but there were a few occasions when he didn’t get the right decisions.

“That is the mantle you carry when you are a great player. He knows that so he has to get on with it. He is a great player and he is a target for fans. But it is not a problem.”

Ronaldo has pleaded to play against the Spanish side - but Ferguson has his doubts about that.

He said: “Cristiano got a lot of whacks on Saturday. He got a few cuts but nothing serious. He wants to play and that is a problem. I would rather leave him out. When players show that enthusiasm to play you don’t deter them you encourage it.”

United have one foot in the next stage and a score draw against Villarreal would see them secure top spot in Group E on head-to-head record should both sides finish level after next month’s final round of group matches.

Ferguson believes his squad are better equipped to try and retain 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.”

Ferguson confirmed goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak will replace Edwin Van der Sar between the posts as the Dutch veteran is being rested.

“We are giving another goalkeeper an opportunity and experience, ” said the United boss. “There is no better experience than a European tie away from home.

“It is a matter of judging the right time to introduce other players like the goalkeepers for instance. That is a prime example. The rest is down to injuries when circumstances dictate.”

Ferguson expects another tough match after the Spanish side drew 0-0 at Old Trafford.

He said: “Villarreal have shown over the years they are a tremendous side. They have been second in La Liga twice now in the last five years.

“To do that with the resources they have in a small town - they don’t have anywhere near the resources of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia - is remarkable.

“They are a fantastically consistent team. We are playing a really good organised side.”

The Manchester United winger was confirmed as winner of the prestigious accolade on Tuesday.

“It is brilliant for Ronaldo to win the Ballon D’Or,” said Ferguson. “I will be going to see him receive his award on Sunday and it is well deserved.”

Ronaldo became the fourth United player to land the trophy, following in the footsteps of Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best.

Ferguson will be present to see the 23-year-old, who is also expected to be crowned FIFA world player of the year next month, collect his prize.

And he has no doubts that, after netting 42 goals in an incredible season that saw United crowned Premier League and Champions League winners, it is fully merited.

“The percentage of votes he got made it an almost unanimous decision,” added Ferguson. “It is good to know he wants to improve. I think he will improve.”