The two Cristiano Ronaldo traits Manchester United harnessed to turn him into the world's best

Rene Meulensteen has opened up on the detailed training ground work he did with Cristiano Ronaldo before the five-time Ballon d'Or winner really burst into life at Manchester United.

Ronaldo needs no introduction for his achievements at Old Trafford and beyond while he continues to score goals for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr this season. The 38-year-old has netted 14 times in 15 games so far this term as his former club United continue to struggle.

In his formative years, Ronaldo was a silky-skilled winger before turning himself into an elite goalscorer with some help along the way from coaches at United. The Portugal captain then took his already sky-high game to another level with European giants Real Madrid and Juventus.

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His second coming at United did not go to plan but his former assistant manager Meulensteen explains there were two standout qualities the iconic footballer possessed that convinced him he would become one of the planet's most feared goal-getters.

Speaking on the latest Sacked in the Morning episode he said: "The two words that spring to mind straightaway are drive and focus. He was much younger and 18 when he came to join Manchester United but he was so, so talented.

"When you come with a lot of talent the key for us is to unlock that potential. I was fortunate during one season when he got suspended - I think it was 2008 - so he was unable to play in four games and he was not going away to travel and I had two or three consecutive days to work with him.

"He was very skilful, but at times he was doing a stepover for the sake of it and maybe not for him to get past his