Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson appreciates the view of Arsene Wenger regarding Cristiano Ronaldo.
United boss opts against a war of words with Arsenal counterpart
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits he can understand the view of Arsene Wenger following the Arsenal boss' comments regarding Cristiano Ronaldo.
In the wake of a controversial clash between Ronaldo and Newcastle's Steven Taylor during United's 2-1 win at St James' Park on Wednesday, Wenger has suggested that the Portuguese's perceived arrogance can make him a target.
However, Ferguson - who is no stranger to the occasional difference of opinion with Wenger - appreciates the Gunners chief's view and implies that a confident attitude is not a bad thing.
"What Arsene said was it appears like arrogance," said Ferguson. "There is a difference and I can understand what he is saying.
Entertain
"When a player expresses himself in such an entertaining way, defenders don't enjoy it.
"It was exactly the same when George Best was a player. It is not so much that they are prepared to do what they do, it is that they are encouraged to do it.
"That is the great asset Ronaldo holds. He has this wonderful courage. He just wants to entertain and do something good with the ball."
Meanwhile, Ferguson confesses he does find it difficult to understand how Taylor has escaped belated punishment from the Football Association for charging into Ronaldo.
But the Old Trafford boss will not lose any sleep over the incident - which was deemed only worthy of a yellow card after referee Steve Bennett watched it again on video.
Battle
Ferguson is pleased Newcastle, who are battling relegation, will be able to call on Taylor, especially with matches against United's potential title rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea, approaching.
"The disciplinary situation does confuse you at times," he said.
"No-one is really clear about it. But in actual fact we did not want the boy suspended because now he can play against Chelsea and Arsenal.
"In Newcastle's position, with the injuries they have at the moment, it would have been devastating for them to lose that player. I am not really upset about it at all."
