Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has been recalling his time at Manchester United with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.
USA No1 Howard is set to meet Portugal and Ronaldo in tomorrow's World Cup clash.
"From day one he had the flash and the flare but there was always something there and his work ethic was second to none, it really was," Howard explains. "That is the one thing I tell everyone who is around him.
"Everyone sees the underwear commercials, the girlfriends and the cars but, trust me, his work ethic is incredible. On the ball, in the gym, eating the right food. You know, I just remember every day after training it was always the same.
"Carrington is so big, there are acres and acres, so the perimeter is massive. But he would just go out after training and dribble the ball in the rain - doing his step-overs, the 'Cruyff' turns, all the things you see on television. He hadn't honed his free-kick (style) back then, that came later.
"But he'd run with the ball at his feet around whole the perimeter, working on his own. It is no secret then. It is no surprise that this is how he has ended up. Not everyone does that. He is incredible."
