Neville: We'll protect Ronaldo
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Manchester United skipper Gary Neville says they'll protect Cristiano Ronaldo tonight from any flak coming from Charlton fans.
Ronaldo will have two security men with the team for the trip to Charlton in what threatens to be a high-octane atmosphere.
Captain Neville has said the club has closed ranks around Ronaldo since the World Cup.
And that will be the same tonight when the Portuguese star faces his biggest test yet at The Valley.
Neville said: "We always protect our own."
Neville saw David Beckham vilified when he came back from his red card at France 98.
His own brother Phil was abused for conceding the penalty that got England knocked out of Euro 2000 by Romania.
Neville said: "Right the way back to David Beckham and my brother in 2000, it has always been the case where United protect their own.
"It happened again this summer with Cristiano and Wayne, but he is at the right place and he'll be protected.
"The players will never have any problem. What happens in an international has nothing to do with what happens at Manchester United."
Ronaldo has admitted that it will be tougher away from Old Trafford, starting with tonight's clash at Charlton.
He said: "In the home game everything went well. It was relaxed, easy.
"But I do know the next game will be a lot more complicated as it's the first one away from Old Trafford."
Paul Nottage, chairman of the Charlton Supporters' Club, agrees with Ronaldo that he is in for a rough ride.
He told The Sun: "It's safe to say there will be a fair amount of stick heading his way. There is bad blood anyway because of the ticketing policies and I can imagine Ronaldo will get the backlash.
"He may have made things up with Rooney but it will be a long time before he is forgiven by English fans."
Ronaldo will have two security men with the team for the trip to Charlton in what threatens to be a high-octane atmosphere.
Captain Neville has said the club has closed ranks around Ronaldo since the World Cup.
And that will be the same tonight when the Portuguese star faces his biggest test yet at The Valley.
Neville said: "We always protect our own."
Neville saw David Beckham vilified when he came back from his red card at France 98.
His own brother Phil was abused for conceding the penalty that got England knocked out of Euro 2000 by Romania.
Neville said: "Right the way back to David Beckham and my brother in 2000, it has always been the case where United protect their own.
"It happened again this summer with Cristiano and Wayne, but he is at the right place and he'll be protected.
"The players will never have any problem. What happens in an international has nothing to do with what happens at Manchester United."
Ronaldo has admitted that it will be tougher away from Old Trafford, starting with tonight's clash at Charlton.
He said: "In the home game everything went well. It was relaxed, easy.
"But I do know the next game will be a lot more complicated as it's the first one away from Old Trafford."
Paul Nottage, chairman of the Charlton Supporters' Club, agrees with Ronaldo that he is in for a rough ride.
He told The Sun: "It's safe to say there will be a fair amount of stick heading his way. There is bad blood anyway because of the ticketing policies and I can imagine Ronaldo will get the backlash.
"He may have made things up with Rooney but it will be a long time before he is forgiven by English fans."
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