United saw off Bolton Wanderers 2-0 at Old Trafford thanks to two early goals from Ronaldo, captaining Sir Alex Ferguson's side for the first time.

Ferguson said: "Ronaldo's free-kick was marvellous. He does put in the practice and he has this technique."

Ronaldo now has 33 goals this season - overtaking George Best's 32 in 1968, the most a United winger had scored in one campaign until now - and 24 in the league.

Ferguson added: "It's fantastic and speaks volumes about the player, it's amazing he can do that playing in the position he does."

Trotters manager Gary Megson admitted his players were still in awe about the quality of Ronaldo's free-kick, saying: "It was genius from probably the best player in the world at the moment. Everyone in the dressing room afterwards was talking about how he does it. We have seen him do it twice now and the truth is we just don't know how he does it."

Manchester United take on Liverpool on Sunday, while title rivals Arsenal and Chelsea face each other in a crucial weekend in the Barclays Premier League.