'Marvellous' Ronaldo Betters Best's Record As United Open Gap at Top

Sir Alex Ferguson picked out Cristiano Ronaldo for special acclaim after Manchester United moved three points clear at the Premier League's summit with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers.

Ronaldo scored both of United's goals and in the process overtook George Best's total of 32 goals from the 1967-68 season, the highest for a United winger. The Portuguese has struck 33 times and Ferguson described it as a "marvelous" achievement. "There is no one else in the world who could do what Cristiano has done," he said. "It speaks volumes for the boy's ability."

Ferguson had made Ronaldo captain on a night when the United manager fielded a deliberately weakened side, keeping back the likes of Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs with one eye on Sunday's game at home to Liverpool.

"We wanted to get three points clear of Arsenal, our nearest pursuers," said Ferguson. "It wasn't a great performance but we had to make changes with Sunday in mind. The important thing is that we have a lead now. It's not decisive by any means but it is a lead nonetheless. The team that is most consistent will win the league. If we can keep our consistency we have a great chance. Chelsea hold the key because they have to play both ourselves and Arsenal at home, where they have been very strong. It's a marvelous, marvelous weekend coming up and we have to enjoy it."

Of Ronaldo he added: "We aren't going to make a big deal about him being captain but Cristiano, for a long time, has been looking for that kind of responsibility. Not everyone wants to be captain but he is comfortable, he wants to do the job and he carries the mantle very well. His second goal was a marvelous strike."

Ferguson, who coined the phrase "squeaky-bum time", had another colorful description for the title run-in, talking of "we-all-go-to-bed-praying time". He predicted it would "go to the wire" but, with Ronaldo in this form, he was entitled to be positive about his team's chances, his only worry being their "charitable" finishing and the fitness of Rio Ferdinand, who missed the game with a back problem and is doubtful for Sunday.

"That's why we brought in Gerard Piqué," explained Ferguson. "We have great confidence in the lad. Plus we rested Wes Brown because if Rio doesn't make it against Liverpool we have the option of playing Wes as a center-back."