Fergie marvels at Ronaldo feat March 01 2008
Sir Alex Ferguson has described Cristiano Ronaldo's scoring rate as "phenomenal" as the Manchester United winger attempts to break the 30-goal mark in all club competitions.
Ronaldo has been a constant threat to opposing defenders throughout the campaign, be it in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League or the FA Cup.
The 23-year-old has already eclipsed last season's total of 23 goals and proved he is an exceptional attacking force either out wide or occasionally up front.
The Portuguese international scored a brace in the 5-1 victory against Newcastle last weekend to take his tally to 29 and he faces Fulham on Saturday looking to move into the magic 30-goal barrier.
Craven Cottage holds special memories for Ronaldo as he scored a late winner at that ground last term which proved pivotal to United's title-clinching campaign.
Ferguson said: "Cristiano has played as a centre forward a couple of times and scored four goals in two games. That is a great strike rate but to score those goals as a wide player is phenomenal.
"It is a superb achievement and he has cast any doubts aside about whether he could repeat last season's total.
"Ronaldo's performance that day against Fulham was absolutely superb and he changed the face of the game."
That 2-1 victory, almost a year ago to the day, saw the Red Devils go on to hold off Chelsea's challenge and regain the coveted Premier League crown.
The United manager continued: "The winner came so late in the game, it was a plus point and a crucial victory.
"We were a few points ahead of Chelsea but as you would expect they were plodding on behind us. You knew if you made a mistake it would count."
However, it is the reigning champions who are now in the slipstream and out to peg back Arsenal's three-point lead at the top of the table with the Blues still in the frame.
Ferguson believes he has the squad to cope with a hectic schedule of top-flight, Champions League and FA Cup games after they won the title with a skeleton staff.
The Scot said: "The run-in is always tough. If you are involved in other tournaments that can play a part. If you get a run of injuries that can play a part. It can impact on you.
"We did exceptionally well last season because when we got injuries in March, 12 or 13 players knuckled down and got on with it.
"There are some important games to come. That is what you expect at this stage of the season and you are challenging for the league.
"We want to carry on our winning form as we are having a good spell and need to close the gap on Arsenal. It is going to be nip and tuck and points will be dropped. The trick is not to drop as many as your rivals.
"It is not easy but we have the experience and hopefully the strength of our squad this season will mean something and help us."