Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has slammed claims Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing up while on his summer break.

"He was always scheduled to have this time off in Los Angeles," said Fergie.

"There was no harm in going there. He was doing some commercial things. We have someone out there with him.

"All the stuff we have been seeing about him, well, it's a load of rubbish. He's not a drinker for a start.

"There was a report he had been drinking vodka but I spoke to the person we have with him and he said it's rubbish.

"He is not drinking. It's absolute nonsense. As far as comparisons with him and David Beckham are concerned, I am not going to discuss that.

"Any young player is going to get attention. The important thing is how they handle that.

"We know success changes people but the change you like to see is an elevation in esteem and personality, which makes them better players a lot of the time.

"Cristiano is now reaching that stage with his maturity, personality and the presence he has on the world stage. We should help him."

Fergie is certain that Ronaldo will soon be submerging himself in his fitness work and back on the road to full recovery.

He added: "He can't do anything at the moment because he is on crutches. When he comes back to us he will start his programme of rehabilitation.

"As far as the injury is concerned, the strapping will come off in 10 days' time and then he returns to us to start his recovery without the crutches.

"He practises all the time. He's always last off the training field. That won't change because that's his way."