Tonight Ronaldo will be under more scrutiny from the fantasy fraternity than ever before. With Gerrard and Lampard rising the occasion at the weekend, there are thousands of fantasy bosses looking for him to produce at Old Trafford against Boro. There are also thousands waiting for him to fail.
Southgate has done his bit but putting an attacking lineup on the field, including the inexperienced Bates at full-back. Now Ronny has got to produce the goods….
Ferguson makes four changes to his lineup all of which were predictable. Berbatov, Park, Carrick and Rafael coming in with the old legs of Giggs, Scholes and Neville dropping out. Rooney starts and poor old Tevez doesn’t even make the bench.
Ronaldo is out there and up against a Boro side who who have an attacking look to them. Alves earns a recall up front, with Tuncay likely to play just behind. Aliadiere is on the right of midfield and it’s a lightweight combo of Arca and O’Neil in the centre. More to the point, young Matthew Bates lines up at right-back. Wheater also earns a recall to the defence with Taylor dropping out.
We’re all set then. Thousands of us need some big points – myself included. Can we rely on Boro to roll-over and take one helluva beating? Can we ever rely on Boro? I’ve got the fear.