CAN DO NO RON ... Cristiano Ronaldo is in stellar form ahead of Man Utd clash
Last Updated: 10th February 2013
CRISTIANO RONALDO warmed up for Manchester United with a sensational hat-trick against Seville.
The former United ace will be gunning for his old club in blistering form and Sir Alex Ferguson will have some white nights before his Red Devils come here.
Yet the Scot will be fearing that if Ronaldo turns up in this mood, United will be facing many sleepless nights till the end of the season.
Real’s No 7 followed up Karim Benzema’s early opener with a 26th-minute left-foot superstrike from outside the box that had the Bernabeu bouncing.
The Real Madrid superstar added a second 38 seconds after the restart, latching on to a loose ball and sprinting into the box before firing home, again with his left.
His pace and precision were frightening and the winger looked to be over a little niggle he was carrying this week.
Just before the hour, Ronaldo ran 80 yards with the ball, fed Gonzalo Higuain and slammed home his return pass.
The Bernabeu idol came off to a standing ovation with 27 minutes left as Jose Mourinho decided to give him a breather.
The Special One shuffled his pack ahead of the clash with Manchester United.
Kaka got a rare start alongside Luka Modric, who’s also struggled to make an impact since his summer switch from Tottenham.
Xabi Alonso was rested altogether while Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira stayed on the bench as Mourinho kept an eye on Wednesday’s Champions League glamour tie.
Angel Di Maria was dropped after his poor showing in the loss at Granada and Higuain was sent off for a second booking but Madrid still saw out the match comfortably.
Seville came to the Bernabeu languishing in mid-table and looking to kick-start their season but were dead on their legs as soon as Madrid took the lead.
With La Liga all but lost Mourinho could afford to experiment with an ultra-offensive side ahead of the United game and played both Higuain and Benzema up front — something he has rarely done.
Two strikers or not this is Ronaldo’s stage - and he ran the show.
Kaka and Ronaldo combined but keeper Beto saved the Portugal star’s near-post effort. Modric then fired wide.
The Bernabeu was far from full with around 65,000 braving the cold and they were rewarded with an effective attacking performance – though Seville caused them a few problems at the back.
Manu Del Moral pulled one back and it was no less than Seville deserved as Madrid’s defence was shambolic.
Maduro joined Higuain for an early bath - also for a second booking - and long before this one-sided affair was over, Madrid’s Ultras Sur fanatics were chanting non-stop “Until the final, let’s go Real.”
They did not mean the Copa Del Rey semi-final second leg at Barcelona, which is sandwiched between the two matches against United.
For the Real fans there is only one match this season, the one against United.
Ronaldo is ready and waiting.
MADRID: Lopez, Arbeloa, Essien, Albiol, Ramos, Modric, Kaka (73 Pepe), Ronaldo (Morata 63), Benzema (69 Callejon), Higuain,
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4787666/Ronaldo-warms-up-for-Manchester-United-by-smashing-a-hat-trick-for-Madrid.html#ixzz2KVYBndfT
