HE'S DONE NOTHING WRONG

SIR ALEX FERGUSON has angrily blasted suggestions Cristiano Ronaldo is being driven off the rails by his international playboy image.

The Manchester United boss is convinced Ronaldo’s life is under control — despite stories of late-night parties and pictures of him with glamorous girls in Los Angeles.

Fergie was happy to give his blessing to the Portuguese winger’s business visit to the States — even though he is in the middle of his recovery from ankle surgery.

And the Scot has been in touch with an unnamed United official accompanying Ronaldo to confirm reports of his wild nights out have been exaggerated.

Fergie is adamant Ronaldo (left in LA) will not succumb to the same media and showbiz temptations that caused a major fall-out with David Beckham and led to his eventual departure.

Harm

But the United chief is aware his 42-goal superstar’s elevation to a new level of global interest after his stunning success on the field will create its own problems.

Fergie insisted: “He was always scheduled to have this time off in Los Angeles.

“There was no harm in going there. He was doing some commercial things. We have someone out there with him.

“All the stuff we have been seeing about him, well, it’s a load of rubbish. He’s not a drinker for a start.

“There was a report he had been drinking vodka but I spoke to the person we have with him and he said it’s rubbish.

“He is not drinking. It’s absolute nonsense. As far as comparisons with him and David Beckham are concerned, I am not going to discuss that.

“Any young player is going to get attention. The important thing is how they handle that.

Faith

“We know success changes people but the change you like to see is an elevation in esteem and personality, which makes them better players a lot of the time.

“Cristiano is now reaching that stage with his maturity, personality and the presence he has on the world stage. We should help him.”

Ronaldo, 23, is scheduled to have strapping removed from his ankle in just over a week and will then begin his recovery programme in Manchester.

His manager has absolute faith in the player’s commitment to United despite the endless speculation linking him Real Madrid.

Fergie is certain that Ronaldo will soon be submerging himself in his fitness work and back on the road to full recovery.

He added: “He can’t do anything at the moment because he is on crutches. When he comes back to us he will start his programme of rehabilitation.

“As far as the injury is concerned, the strapping will come off in 10 days’ time and then he returns to us to start his recovery without the crutches.

Alarmed

“He practises all the time. He’s always last off the training field. That won’t change because that’s his way.”

Ronaldo has been the focus of a summer of constant media attention — with his activities on and off the field.

The saga of his proposed move to Real Madrid has filled acres of newsprint.

But Fergie has remained utterly convinced his relationship with the player will ensure he stays at Old Trafford.

The United boss will have been more alarmed by the emergence of Ronaldo as a celebrity and a target for the paparazzi.

Ronaldo was always going to be given extra summer holiday after taking part in Euro 2008.

And there was a frenzy of media activity surrounding his relationship with ex-girlfriend Nereida Gallardo following pictures of them cavorting on the beach in Sardinia.

Ronaldo’s ankle op in Amsterdam may have dampened the clamour for a while. But when Ronaldo resurfaced in LA for an awards presentation, he soon became the centre of worldwide attention again.

Liquor

Ferguson has always played a father-figure role to his younger players and helped nurture Ronaldo through the formative years of his career.

But even the United boss will be glad when he returns to the confines of Carrington training ground away from the spotlight.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s lawyers are examining the claims of excessive partying in LA. His agent Jorge Mendes has issued a firm rebuttal of the allegations. In a statement on his own website, Mendes said: “Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t waste 12,000 euros drinking, and certainly not in liquor, at a bar in LA.

“They are truly offensive to his good name and reputation and may seriously damage his professional life.

“False, absurd and groundless are adjectives that better express what came out to the public.

Crutches

“All the more since Cristiano Ronaldo does not consume alcohol.

“And for that reason, it is completely false that he spent 12,000 euros in cocktails or that he was intoxicated. Cristiano Ronaldo’s lawyers can also clarify it was the owner of the selected LA bar who, in courtesy to the best player in the world, paid the bill of the Portuguese international and his friends.

“They also confirm that Cristiano Ronaldo only drank water and fruit juice drinks — as he always does.

“And because his good name and professionalism are at stake, it’s absolutely false and absurd that Cristiano Ronaldo danced and left aside — even for a brief moment — the crutches he has been using since July 7.

“He remained seated the whole time at his table in one of the bar’s reserved areas, complying with doctor’s instructions.”