Stage is set for Ronaldo
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The Champions League final promises to be a tight and tense but, in Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Carrick believes United boast the potential match-winner.
The Portuguese winger’s 41 goals and clutch of personal awards show how influential he has been in helping to clinch the Premier League title and a place in Wednesday’s showpiece final at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. The stage is set, and Carrick is sure his prolific and prodigious team-mate will deliver.
“Ronaldo could have a massive say,” he said. “He’s world-class and will surely be voted World Player of the Year. These are the games he produces in and there's no bigger game. He’s produced the goods all season and scored so many goals – there’s no reason why he won’t do it again.”
However, Ronaldo won’t be doing all the work. Carrick knows that, with two evenly matched teams, Chelsea pose a formidable threat all over the pitch.
“It was very tight in the league and going into the last game of the season level on points shows the teams are well matched,” he said. “We’re feeling great because we won the title, but we’ll have to be at our best to win. The rewards and losses are massive, hopefully we’ll come out on top.”
Success has been forthcoming for Carrick since joining United two years ago, having already won two titles. But he’s well aware that the Reds had to wait nine years for a second shot at the Champions League crown.
“It would mean everything to get a winners' medal,” he added. “It doesn’t happen often. This is the club’s third final, which speaks volumes of how tough it is to win. We’ll draw on the older lads' experience and hopefully that helps us pick it up this time.” -
honestly, I still want either Rooney, Tevez or even Scholes to be the match-winner.
at least their feet is on the ground, and we know they not going anywhere. :P