25/05/2004 Cristiano Ronaldo's team-mate, Ruud van Nistelrooy
"Cristiano is a really big talent. I see that every day in training. But in the game he is not effective. He is getting better - but there is too much show in his playing.
He wants to play nice football but you can't always play that way.
Often his crosses come too late for me because I'm marked by then - but we are working hard on that."
24/05/2004 Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson
"At first it took Cristiano time to get used to British football. But with every passing week, he's got better and better.
Everyone has their idea of what Cristiano's potential is but there's no question that his potential is better than anything else in Europe. What we have to do is realise that potential. You take the components � he's got the perfect physique, balance, pace and two feet.
He's got a fantastic personality, a great strength of mind and a sense of purpose. Those things will help him more than anything and take him really far in the game."
24/05/2004 Cristiano Ronaldo
"I was saluted by Alex Ferguson when I was subbed and that made me very happy.
It is a big compliment that my manager and team-mates say so many good things about me.
And I hope to repay them by playing more good games and helping the team to achieve our goals.
Alex Ferguson has protected me so I do not go too far too quickly.
He does that not only in terms of my work but my private life too. I know I can learn so much from him. This is the only club in Britain I would want to be at.
It has been a positive year even though things didn't go quite as well as we hoped from a personal and a group aspect.
I have managed to improve and have always been positive about my football."
24/05/2004 Cristiano Ronaldo's team-mate, Ryan Giggs
"He may be only young but he already has an influence on everyone in the team. He not only excites the crowd but the other players as well.
When we first saw him in that pre-season friendly playing against us for Sporting Lisbon we saw what an outstanding player he could be.
He has taken the next step without any problems and he can be something really special for the club."
24/05/2004 Cristiano Ronaldo's team-mate, Ruud van Nistelrooy
"Ronaldo is a fantastic player.
He basically won the game for us with his goal before half time. He is already so much better than when he first joined us a year ago.
His end product is there and he's scoring goals now too."
24/05/2004 Cristiano Ronaldo's team-mate, Roy Keane
"We want him to be consistent for the team. He is already showing lots of confidence.
But if he gets carried away, he will be brought back down to earth very quickly.
He could have stayed in Portugal for an extra year and then joined up with us.
But he wanted to come straight away and test himself against the best and that's exactly what he is doing."
22/05/2004 Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson
"Ronaldo is only 19 and he is sensational.
Manchester United have always known how to make room for exceptional talents. Remember Bobby Charlton and George Best.
I have learned, too, you always have to let the players express themselves. For a manager, a player like Ryan Giggs for example is a gift from heaven. It is the same thing with Eric Cantona.
He would never have become the great player he was if I had not encouraged him to develop his talent.
I think we were the perfect club for him. A club where he could puff out his chest and say 'I'm the boss here, I'm the king'. He has that aura, that presence, that faith in himself.
Same thing again with little Ronaldo. Never stop him dribbling past his opponents, because it's just that which makes him the player you want.
A manager always has to be able to adapt what he says to each type of player. He'll say to some 'Play it simple, you are never better than when you strip your game down'.
Then there are others who can raise their game to a new level, one I can't conceive as I don't have their vision and because they see things that I, as their manager, cannot see.
Ronaldo will be one of those players, I'm sure. Just like Cantona before him."
22/05/2004 Cristiano Ronaldo's team-mate, Gary Neville
"Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy produced some good moments for us, but Cristiano Ronaldo was particularly outstanding.
I think Ronaldo can be one of the top footballers in the world.
To come with the price tag on his head and at his age, he has been outstanding for us this season."
27/03/2004 Cristiano Ronaldo
"I want to be one of the best players around in two or three years' time.
I would be very proud if, one day, I'm held in the same esteem as George Best or Beckham. It's what I'm working hard towards."
31/12/2003 Ronaldo's team-mate, Gary Neville
"Ronaldo got in a good header in our win against Everton but needs to be getting in those positions more.
He needs to gain experience and understand that in the Premier League heading is part of the game.
But I think in two or three years he will be absolutely world class."
24/10/2003 Fulham forward, Luis Boa Morte
"I think he can be one of the best in the world.
There are some things he needs to work hard on but he is a very talented player already. I don't think you can expect much more from an 18-year-old and people said the same things about Michael Owen when he came through.
I have seen him a few times on television and met him for the first time a couple of weeks ago when the Portugal squad met to play Albania.
You could see in training and on the pitch that he is a very good player. I don't think he will be the next Figo because there is only one, but maybe in a few years we will be looking for the next Cristiano Ronaldo.
There will be pressure from joining a big club in a new country and how you deal with it depends on how mature you are.
You can only be so mature at that age but he looks like he has settled well and he has brought his mum with him, which should help."
02/10/2003 George Best
"There have been a few players described as 'The new George Best' over the years, but this is the first time it has been a compliment to me.
There have been players who have similarities but this lad's got more than anyone else - especially as he is genuinely two-footed.
He can play on either wing, beat players with ease, put in dangerous crosses with his left or right peg.
Cristiano's first United game as a substitute in the season opener against Bolton was the most exciting debut performance I've ever seen.
I was watching (Manchester United in a pre-season friendly against Sporting) with a friend of mine and I said 'Someone's got to snap this kid up' - and guess who did?
The �12.4million fee might seem a high price, but I think it's a snip. You are talking about a lad who, if he stays injury-free, has 15 years ahead of him in the game."
28/08/2003 Luis Figo
"I thought asking Cristiano to wear David's number would be asking too much but I hope things work out as they have so far.
From what I know and have read a lot of people thought he was too young for the jump and he was destined for a place on the bench.
But he has shown that is not the case and has taken advantage of his opportunities.
He's a technical footballer who is quick and brave.
He isn't intimidated by the other players around him.
The key to Ronaldo's success is for him not to lose his head.
If he overcomes the waterfall of praise, which is a lot to take for a young player, he can go a long way.
He isn't even 20, and the Portuguese league isn't the English one, but so far he's already shown he is strong and can deal with the pressure.
I watch the games and read the papers and it inevitably reminds me of my arrival in Spanish football.
To be in the papers every day is good and bad.
If you take it on board with tranquility, there aren't any problems. But if it causes extra pressure he will be the first one to be harmed.
At United they do a good job taking care of these details and I'm sure Alex Ferguson will make sure nothing goes to his head.
The chance to play there only comes along once in a lifetime and it is hard to turn down.
He's opted to take the risk and, in his situation, I would have done the same."