Football: BOOTED OUT

Sunday Mirror, Mar 16, 2008 by SIMON MULLOCK

SIR ALEX FERGUSON fears Cristiano Ronaldo could be kicked out of English football by ruthless hard men.

Fergie's fury about the treatment meted out to his Portuguese winger in Manchester United's FA Cup quarter-defeat defeat by Portsmouth last week has not subsided.

And Ronaldo's confession that he is now running scared of football's tough guys has intensified fears that the 23-year-old will look to escape Old Trafford for Barcelona or Real Madrid this summer.

Ferguson said: "I just hope that what is going on doesn't drive him out of our game."

"Some of the tackles that Cristiano has to put up with are a big concern for us.

"He could look at it and say he will get more protection in Europe - that's what happens, there's no doubt about it.

"We are faced with is trying to encourage Cristiano and assure him all the benefits of being a Manchester United player are good. That's vital."

"Some of the treatment he got against Portsmouth drives you mad."

Portsmouth assistant manager Tony Adams said: "It is rubbish to say we had made Ronaldo a target."