Darren Fletcher
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher believes that Cristiano Ronaldo's success at Manchester United was in large part due to the sacrifices made by his Old Trafford team mates.
In his final three years at United, Ronaldo contributed 90 goals and became recognised as one of the globe's top players. In the summer, Ronaldo completed a world record £80million switch to the club of his 'dreams' - Real Madrid.
But Scottish international Fletcher, who has become increasingly crucial to United over the past year, said that much of Ronaldo's success is down to his former team mates. "Teams adapt when players leave, much as Cristiano was brilliant for us, the team sacrificed a lot for him too."
"As a midfielder, I knew that I couldn't go bombing forward because Cristiano had gone forward. I knew that I had to cover on the right so that the left-back and left midfielder couldn't double up on our full-back."
Reflecting on the change in United's game since Ronaldo's departure, Fletcher said "Maybe now we're a lot more rigid 4-4-2, with everyone knowing their role. There are perhaps more opportunities for midfielders to get in the box and get goals."