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6 February 2007, by Sean Gillen

Ronaldo aiming for more goals

But Premiership title the priority insists winger

Cristiano Ronaldo says that says that he is enjoying his goalscoring run with Manchester United, but insists that the team’s performance during the remainder of the season is his main priority.

The Portuguese has scored eight goals in his last eight Premiership games, and his penalty against Tottenham in United’s 4-0 win at White Hart Lane on Sunday was his 15th of the season.

“I hope to get a few more,” said the winger, who turned 22 on Monday. “But I don’t know. The only guarantee I can give is that I will continue to work just as hard to continue to develop. But of course, I hope to get more. I just don’t know how many.”

“It’s good to be in this position, but the most important thing was the victory for Manchester and that we will hold on to a six point lead over Chelsea”, he explained.

“Whether or not I am the highest scorer is less important, because I am not bothered about being top. What I am concerned about is Manchester being the best, and we are on the right track to win the title.”

Bet won

Ronaldo’s latest goal was also significant as it meant that he won a personal bet with manager Alex Ferguson, who challenged the Portuguese to hit the fifteen-goal mark this season.

The light-hearted wager has become an annual tradition, with the Scottish manager increasing the target with each passing season. With Ronaldo having already kept his side of the bargain, Ferguson has suggested that the bet be re-set at twenty goals.

“We’ll see when I get back. I still don’t know if I’m going to take it,” Ronaldo laughed. “Maybe we’ll reach an agreement and place a new bet!”

The former Sporting man turned twenty-two on Monday, and admits that the goal was a nice bonus: “It’s funny that I thought about it before the game”, he said.

“This game, the goal and the assist was a present that I gave myself and it was very good, it was a great present.”

With United’s lead over Chelsea at the top of the Premiership currently standing at six points with twelve games remaining, the Red Devils will hope to move another step closer to their first title since 2003 when they host Charlton at Old Trafford on Sunday.