Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo claims Roma begged him to stop dribbling during last season’s 7-1 Champions League quarter-final defeat at Old Trafford.
The Italians return to Manchester on Tuesday for the first time since the 8-3 aggregate loss.
Ronaldo, who was virtually unplayable during last April’s tie, said: “When we were 6-0 up, one of their players said ‘don’t do any more dribbles’, almost begging.
“I won’t reveal his name as these are comments brought about by the game.
“Other players ask me to go to play on the opposite side and others don’t show any humour when they make threats to my physical integrity.
“I know that they are merely trying to scare me. But these comments are worthless, for I keep playing in exactly the same way.”
The tie was a tumultuous encounter affair – the first leg was overshadowed by crowd trouble at the Stadio Olimpico and fans were also involved in a series of brawls outside Old Trafford before the second leg in Manchester.
The scintillating performance at Old Trafford was later described by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as ‘the best night of European football’ at their home ground.
