Fergie wants C. Ronaldo protection

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Sir Alex Ferguson has called on The Premiership's referees to afford dazzling winger Cristiano Ronaldo more protection.

The Portuguese starlet has come in for some hefty challenges of late and Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz recently stated his compatriot is the victim of a campaign of intimidation from Premiership sides.

Upon his arrival in England in 2003, Ronaldo developed a reputation as something of a precious show pony, and Ferguson has admitted that his early excursions in English football may now be influencing the way match officials act towards him.

However the United boss says the winger has now matured and that he deserves greater protection from the close attentions of Premiership defenders.

"There's been a lot of talk about the treatment of Ronaldo recently and Carlos Queiroz was right when he said the boy won't allow himself to be bullied out of this league," Ferguson told United magazine.

"There's no question about it, he doesn't get enough protection.

"They're kicking lumps out of him and he's the most fouled player in The Premiership so why is there not more action taken?

"Some of the fouls against him have been an absolute disgrace and they go unpunished a lot of the time.

"The problem is that he was over-dramatic when he first came to the club, we accept that.

"He's matured since then, though, and you now find that he attacks players with such pace that you only need to catch him slightly and it's going to take him down.

"But you find referees saying 'Oh, it's only Ronaldo', he's got that reputation, which is unfair.

"I even brought it to the attention of referees' chief Keith Hackett and he did nothing."

Ferguson also paid Ronaldo the ultimate compliment as he compared his struggle to express his quality to that of the late George Best.

"The lad is so brave and he reacts in the right way," added Ferguson. "The same way George Best used to."