Even a blue-blooded fan who traipsed down the division supporting City would have been embarrassed with this bitter criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo. Apparently, scoring 23 league goals in as many starts, and 34 goals in as many games in total, is apparently an “illusion of grandeur.”

Ronaldo has easily proved himself the best player in the World, with Barcelona’s Messi the only man capable of threatening this title. Kaka was lauded as the greatest player last season after impressive Champions League form, despite not being able to turn up week in week out in the domestic league with Meelan. Is a great player one who scores goals in a handful of games against top opposition? Or is a great player someone who you can depend upon week in week out to get you goals? Given a choice between a player who performed wonderfully in Europe, but failed to do so in the Premiership, and a player who scored some goals in Europe, but was a consistent scorer in the Premiership, I’d choose the latter every time. Regardless, the fact Ronaldo is the highest scorer in the Champions League so far this season proves he is now able to compete on both fronts.

So, what is The Daily Mail trying to prove? Their incompetence? Jealousy? ABU?

“Last night, Hatchet Man watched the champions – but not THE champion. Manchester United may have cruised to a 2-0 victory over woeful Bolton with two goals from that lad Cristiano Ronaldo, but I couldn’t help but wondering if the Portugal star is being lauded a little too much…It’s all well and good showing up the plodders of the Premier League, as Ronny did against Bolton, but – if we’re honest, Old Mother Hatchet could do that to them.”

Sorry, how many players could score the freekick Ronaldo did last night?

“Ronaldo has scored only once against “Big Four” opposition this term – against Arsenal, and United have put six past the Gunners this season.”

Ronaldo has played in one game against Arsenal this season and scored one goal and assisted the other. What has the fact that United have scored six goals against Arsenal this season got to do with Ronaldo, considering he wasn’t even on the bench for the 4-0 FA Cup game? Tevez has scored against both Chelsea and Liverpool this season. Does this mean that categorically he is a better player than Ronaldo?

“Hatchet Man remains to be convinced that Ronaldo can do it against the best.”

So the goal Ronaldo scored against last season’s European Champions, AC Milan, in the semi-final of the Champions League has been wiped from memory I suppose?

To think somebody actually gets paid to write that crap. Wow.