London, Mar 7 : Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Cristiano Ronaldo should be respected because he is prepared to make himself a target to entertain his fans.

The Manchester United boss admitted that he accepted his old foe Arsene Wenger was right to suggest that Ronaldo's arrogance invited opposing defenders to attack him.

Ferguson says such special attention is an occupational hazard for the world player of the year, but believes Ronaldo should be lauded for his courage, not condemned for cockiness.

"Arsene said that sometimes it appears as arrogance, not that Cristiano is arrogant, and that''s different. I can understand what he''s saying. When a player expresses himself in such an entertaining way, defenders don''t enjoy it," The Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

"It was exactly the same with George Best when he was a player. It's not that they're prepared to do what they do but that they've the courage to do it. That's the wonderful courage Cristiano has, that he's always prepared to entertain and do something good with the ball."

On Wednesday, Newcastle United's Alan Smith, who escaped punishment, scythed the European Footballer of the Year down.

Ronaldo was also struck in the face by Newcastle's right back, Steven Taylor, but the FA said no punishment would be taken against Taylor.

Ronaldo himself was cautioned for diving in Sunday's Carling Cup final, a booking that outraged Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. (ANI)