You ain't seen nothing yet

By Pete Sanderson

After a seemingly endless list of contenders over the decades, it seems that Cristiano Ronaldo has finally put an end to the search for the new George Best. For 30 years, the media had touted every young winger to pull on the Manchester United FC shirt as the 'new Best' but for one reason or another they never quite made the grade.

'Big compliment'
That was, until Ronaldo entered the fray. And who better to hand out a comparison than Best himself. "There have been a few players described as 'the new George Best' over the years, but this is the first time it has been a compliment to me," said Best. "A few have had similarities, but this lad's got more than anyone else. He is genuinely two-footed, he can play on either wing, beat players with ease and put in dangerous crosses with his left or right peg."

'Big compliment'
But Ronaldo insists the best is yet to come. The Portuguese international, who comes up against AC Milan in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League at Old Trafford tonight, believes United fans have plenty to look forward to. "You have not seen the finished article yet," Ronaldo told uefa.com. "And hopefully I can give them something special to talk about in the AC Milan game."

Enormous challenge
Tonight's match pits Ronaldo against Paolo Maldini - arguably the best defender to play in the Champions League since its inception in 1992. But the supremely confident 19-year-old, who was named in the uefa.com users' Team of 2004, merely sees the contest with the Italian as part of his football education as he steps up his quest to become the best winger in the world.

'Wonderful defender'
"Facing Paolo Maldini will be a huge test - probably one of the biggest in my career," said Ronaldo. "But I relish big challenges and love to play against the best in the world. There is no doubt he is a wonderful defender - but my aim is to come out of the game with him saying I am one of the best wingers in the world.

'Special atmosphere'
"I like to think I raise my game for the big matches," he added. "There is something electric about the atmosphere of big Champions League nights. And I have been been playing well of late, scoring goals, making goals and I feel I have now settled in at Old Trafford so I see no reason why this game can't be my best so far for the club. But I have always admired Maldini. He is very graceful, incredibly experienced and one of the best defenders of his generation. Hopefully it will be a contest neither of us will ever forget."

Poor record
United have entertained Italian opposition ten times, winning seven, drawing twice and losing once but have never previously got past the Rossoneri in a UEFA competition. Milan, who have fond memories of Old Trafford after winning the Champions League at the stadium in 2003, have a poor record on English soil, a weakness Ronaldo believes United must exploit.

European winner
"We must take the game to them at Old Trafford," he said. "It is certainly one of the most important European games I have played for Manchester United and it will be tough to break them down in Italy. It is our job to make the most of our home advantage." Doubtless Best, a European Champion Clubs' Cup winner in 1968, will be cheering Ronaldo on all the way.