The New Ronaldo

Supremely skillful but often frustrating in his play, Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was signed by Manchester United with the cash received from the sale of David Beckham to Real Madrid.

Very much bought as a development player, Ronaldo has had to learn to be a team player rather than concentrate on his individual skill.

He also came in for a lot of criticism for the ease at which he would fall the ground when tackled, especially when riding the challenge would have opened up the defence.

While he has certainly improved both these aspects of his game he does still frustrate his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ronaldo, much famed for his tendency to try the 'step-over', is without doubt a hugely talented player who has the ability to become one of the best in the world, but he must harness his talent and learn from those around him.

The right-sided winger wonder is another from the Sporting Lisbon production line, following the likes of Luis Figo and Joao Pinto into a big European move, Ronaldo remains regarded as one of the brightest talents in European football.

In recent years the Sporting production has churned them out even more rapidly and Ronaldo follows former team-mates Hugo Viana and Ricardo Quaresma in moving to a big move away from Portugal. Indeed both were contemporaries of his in Lisbon - he and Viana both made their debuts in the same game for their former club.

Ronaldo's talents have been hailed in his homeland for well over a decade - he was the subject of a transfer at the age at eight in his native island of Madeira. Ronaldo's first big move came at the age of 11 when club Nacional ran into trouble when paying Sporting Lisbon a £25,000 fee for defender Franco.

On August 15, 2001 he was handed his Sporting debut as a 16-year-old by then coach Laszlo Boloni against Second Division B side Atletico. His league debut saw him score twice in a 3-0 victory over Moreirense and then hit a late winner in a 2-1 defeat of Boavista.

He was soon to play a starring role for the Portuguese Under-17 side at the European Championships.

The 2002/03 season was his first full run in the side and his strength, skill and pace led to him becoming one of Europe's most coveted talents. His two-footedness and ability to play on either wing or as a support striker made him the ideal candidate for Sir Alex Ferguson in his search for support for Ruud Van Nistelrooy's goalscoring exploits.

Ferguson had been eyeing the player for a year when his hand was forced by interest from other leading European clubs in Real Madrid and Juventus into invoking United's close relationship with Sporting and splashed out £12.24m for the teenager, beating the British record set by Viana the year before.

Sporting were prepared to sell the player for such a price but they had wanted to keep him and had even cashed in Quaresma to Barcelona to retain Ronaldo's services. But the lure of Old Trafford was strong.

A wizardly showing in a pre-season game against United had his future team-mates drooling and within a week he was one of them, becoming United's first-ever Portuguese player. A young man named after an American president, he will hope to become one of United and Europe's precedent players.

He made his United debut in a 4-0 thrashing of Bolton at Old Trafford. He replaced Nicky Butt just after the hour and produced a mesmerising performance. Three of United's goals came after the young star's introduction.

Ronaldo did struggle at times in the first half of the season as he adapted to life in England, but after the turn of the year really decided to turn on the style.

His trademark footwork set the Premiership slight, and earned him a place in Portugal's squad for Euro 2004.

Although he began the tournament from the bench, a goal and assist in the first two games against Greece and Russia earned him a starting place for the group decided against Spain.

Ronaldo also found the back of the net in the semi-final against Holland, although their was heartbreak for the winger when Portugal lost in the final to Greece.

Along with Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo was one of the real stars of Euro 2004 - and he can only get better with age at Old Trafford.

At times he does tend to over-elaborate on the ball - something else he will learn to improve on with time.

He missed the start of the 2004/05 season due to his controversial inclusion in Portugal's squad for the Olympic Games.

The was further controversy that season when the player's agent demanded talks began over a new contract, but considering he still had years to run on his first deal the United board was less than impressed.

Both player and club denied there was any disagreement, but it truth it more than likely was the case.

The winger was linked with both Barcelona and Real Madrid as the uncertainty dragged on - but he finally signed a deal to run until the summer of 2010.

And a few months later he was investigated by police after a woman made allegations of rape at a London hotel - the player always denied the claims and he was never charged with any offence.

He made his 100th United appearance in 2005/06.