Sir Alex Ferguson believes there is still more to come from FifPro
World Footballer of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Manchester United star was honoured by his fellow professionals
as he was named the leading player of 2007/08 by members of the world
players' union.

Portugal international Ronaldo was always going to be a leading
contender for the honour after he scored 42 goals to help the Red
Devils claim the Premier League and UEFA Champions League crowns.

And Ferguson has warned Premier League and European defences that the
23-year-old will get even better with age.

The Scot told Sky Sports News: "For a winger to score 42 goals, that
itself deserves recognition. His performances apart from that were
exciting. He's a player who always wants to take the ball and always
plays with such great courage.

"Where he will improve is his authority, his timing. Experience gives
you better timing, better authority and better decision making and
handling all situations, that's what maturity does.

"In the case of Cristiano, at 23, we expect that to progress the
right way.

"When you look at the quality of the players involved it is a measure
of the success of the team last season. It was a marvellous year for
us and, quite rightly, we've been recognised in a big way."

Ronaldo, who was targeted by Real Madrid over the summer before
electing to remain at Old Trafford, was quick to repay the compliment
in his praise for Ferguson.

He said: "The boss is very important for me. I'm at the club because
of him, he signed me when I was 18 years old.

"He helped me a lot. He respects the players, he knows how to speak
with the players and I think this is very important. 99 per cent of
the players have a great relationship with him.

"He's a great man, a great manager, and it is great to be part of
Manchester United with him. The titles speak for the themselves, he
has won everything for the club."

Ronaldo was joined in the FifPro World XI of 2007/08 by team-mate Rio
Ferdinand, who was a rock at the heart of United's defence during
their Double triumph, with Ferguson eager to salute the England
international.

He added: "He's never lost that technical advantage he has over other
defenders. The ability and balance to take the ball out of defence
has always been there.

"What we're seeing with Rio now is a maturity in terms of helping
other people round about him and being a leader in that respect."
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