Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to be regarded among the all-time greats.

Ronaldo returns to United next year after their Champions League pairing yesterday.

Ferguson said: "Great players, particularly forwards - Denis Law, George Best, Pele, Eusebio - they always take the ball no matter the challenges.

"There are different forms of courage and that one is the best one.

"You've got lads who will run through a brick wall but the courage to take the ball all the time is a fantastic courage.

"He always had that."