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Cristiano Ronaldo Ruined Ashley Cole And Dropped Him On His Backside During Man United Vs Arsenal

Cristiano Ronaldo Ruined Ashley Cole And Dropped Him On His Backside During Man United Vs Arsenal

"Made the best left-back in the world look silly, not easy to do," one fan said. Ashley Cole didn't 'pocket' Cristiano Ronaldo this time.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Cristiano Ronaldo dropped Ashley Cole on his backside in one of the most humiliating moments in his career during Manchester United's 0-0 draw with Arsenal in 2003.

Chelsea hero Cole, 40, is often remembered for his masterclass performance against Ronaldo in 2006 when he claimed that he had him "in my pocket."

He told Chelsea TV in 2020: "I was so focused on that game. Even in the changing room I just felt different going into this game.

"My focus and concentration -- mentally I was on it. I came to show him the line a lot because I kind of fancied my chances up against him with my pace.

"And a little bit of mentality actually, I think I got in his head a few times. He always wanted that extra trick.

"I gave him a strong tackle, maybe it was a foul or not, I don't know. And I felt at that time he didn't want it no more.

"He's kind of put his hand up and said, 'I wanna go off.' So I think it was a good time to say I had him in my pocket."

But the former England international didn't have the same experience when he came up against Ronaldo at Old Trafford in 2003.

During the opening five minutes of the clash, Cole found himself in a one-on-one battle with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner out on the wing.

However, the former Chelsea and Arsenal full-back was planted on his backside as Ronaldo twisted him inside out with a simple bit of dribbling.

"Ashley Cole was annihilated," one fan said.

Someone else commented: "Saw Ashley Cole saying Ronaldo was easy to mark. He [Ronaldo] tortured Cole in this match."

A third wrote: "Made the best left-back in the world look silly, not easy to do."

Ronaldo has insisted that Cole remains the toughest opponent in his illustrious playing career, saying that he was a "tenacious player when he was at his peak."

The 36-year-old Juventus superstar explained: "Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole.

"He does not give you a second to breathe. He was such a tenacious player when he was at his peak, quick, tough in the tackle. You knew it would never be an easy game."

Featured Image Credit: YouTube

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Premier League, England, Arsenal, Old Trafford, Ashley Cole, Cristiano Ronaldo