'Man Utd's Cristiano Ronaldo was one of best in world - but couldn't score against Sheffield United!'

He is arguably the best footballer on the planet with a full-to-bursting trophy cabinet only matched in size by his bank balance.
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But Cristiano Ronaldo looks likely to retire from football with one notable achievement missing from his glittering footballing CV... scoring against Sheffield United!

"He definitely should have!" laughs Paddy Kenny, the goalkeeper who faced the Portuguese superstar in United's last Premier League games against the Old Trafford side in 2006/07.

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At Bramall Lane, Ronaldo inexplicably put the ball over the bar from about four yards out before being foiled in the return leg at Old Trafford by a save that Kenny rates as one of the best of his lengthy professional career.

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"I remember the day he signed for Man United," Kenny told The Star. "With his blonde highlights and dodgy jumper.

"We were playing Macclesfield in the League Cup and we went to Mottram Hall before the game.

"There were cameras everywhere when we pulled up, which obviously weren't there for us! We were hoping to have some food and some sleep in the afternoon, but it was carnage.

Paddy Kenny watches on helplessly as Cristiano Ronaldo misses from four yards outPaddy Kenny watches on helplessly as Cristiano Ronaldo misses from four yards out
Paddy Kenny watches on helplessly as Cristiano Ronaldo misses from four yards out
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"We were like “What's going off here?” and someone said: “Oh, Man United have signed someone called Cristiano Ronaldo.”

"We saw him and were all like, “Who is he?” He was some spotty little kid wearing a dodgy jumper...who went on to become probably one of the best players ever!"

The Red Devils won 2-1 at Bramall Lane, despite Ronaldo's gaffe, with two goals from Wayne Rooney. The England international also scored in the return leg after Michael Carrick's opener after four minutes, although United were denied a stonewall penalty when Luton Shelton was brought down in the area.

"I get people mentioning the Ronaldo miss to me all the time," Kenny added. "I tell them that I put him off! He had one eye on the fat cat, flying back across goal at him!"

Michael Carrick scores Man United's first goal in 2007Michael Carrick scores Man United's first goal in 2007
Michael Carrick scores Man United's first goal in 2007
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"It’s difficult to pick one save that’s the best you’ve ever made, but one I made against Ronaldo at Old Trafford is right up there for me," the former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper added.

"He shot low and hard, down by my feet, and I tipped it round. Just after, he looked at me and said: ‘What a f****** save’. I’ve got a video on my phone just in case anyone ever asks me about it! If they don’t, I show them anyway. The commentators are on Fox Sports and they go mad over Ronaldo’s movement in the clip.

"And then towards the end, one of them says: ‘Good save in the end’. 'Are you for real?' I think, every time I hear it. 'Is that all I get!'

"It’s still a good memory, though - I had two games against one of the world’s best that season, and he didn’t score. Even if he should have!"

Wayne Rooney scores against the Blades againWayne Rooney scores against the Blades again
Wayne Rooney scores against the Blades again

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