SPORTS WINGER

Cristiano Ronaldo had a head-to-head clash with Emanuel Pogatetz - but Dimitar Berbatov kept his cool to keep Manchester United in the title race.

Ronaldo was fuming at the Middlesbrough hardman for whacking him on the leg then grabbing his face off the ball at a corner.

The World Player of the Year had words with Pogatetz as they went off at half-time and they continued all the way up the tunnel. Ronaldo stuck his face into the Austrian's and got a forehead back at him as team-mates looked on.

Referee Martin Atkinson spoke to the duo before the second-half as tempers boiled at frosty Old Trafford.They are unlikely to be reported as Atkinson dealt with the incident on the spot.

Pogatetz has history against United. He was guilty of an X-rated challenge on Rodrigo Possebon when the clubs met in the Carling Cup and was sent off.

United laboured for the second game running with Ronaldo's golden touch of last season deserting him on a night of fluffed opportunities.

They were grateful to Berbatov, who poked in the winner in the 69th minute.


Cristiano Ronaldo Biography


Name : Cristiano Ronaldo

Birth Name : Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro

Date of Birth : February 5, 1985

Place of Birth : Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Height : 6' 1''

Trade Mark : Much known for his fancy flicks and stepovers.

Nicknames : Cris, Ron, Ronnie, The Sultan of the Stepover