Benitez doubts United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's assertion that a lack of protection for Ronaldo could persuade the Portuguese international to take his talents eventually to Spain.

"The English league is more physical than the Spanish league," he agreed, "but in terms of tactics and players it is more or less the same.

"(Fernando) Torres is playing the same football here as he did in Spain, for example. In England the supporters enjoy a more physical game and you have to accept that. They also criticise players for diving a bit more here than in other countries and that is a positive."