Piers Morgan has revealed that he's "begged" Cristiano Ronaldo not to score against his beloved Arsenal during Saturday's crunch top-four clash with Manchester United - but he still fears "the worst".
The Gunners host United in the weekend's early kick-off in a match that's likely to have major Champions League repercussions for both sides. Mikel Arteta's side fired themselves back into contention for the final European berth with their stunning 4-2 win at Chelsea in midweek, while United's own hopes of retaining their spot in the showpiece tournament are hanging by a thread after a sorry string of results.
United have been boosted by the return of Ronaldo, who who sat out their embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Liverpool earlier in the week. The Portuguese superstar revealed that his newborn baby son had tragically passed away on the eve of the clash at Anfield.
But Ronaldo is back for the showdown in north London - and that has left Morgan fearing the worst. The television presenter - who is a huge Gunners fan - is friends with the United megastar and once hilariously presented the 37-year-old with an Arsenal shirt in a bid to entice him to the capital.
However, Morgan has revealed that he's not convinced that Ronaldo is going to take it easy on his side. The ex-Good Morning Britain host tweeted: "Texted Ronaldo begging him not to score against us today. He said he won’t. Last time we played them in December he made the same promise then scored twice as they beat us 3-2. I fear the worst."
Ronaldo's brace earlier this year was enough to ensure the rollercoaster clash at Old Trafford edged into United's favour. At the time, both sides were neck-and-neck in the race for the top-four, although Tottenham now appear to be Arsenal's main competitors for a Champions League berth.
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While Ronaldo returns to the fold against Arsenal, United are without a host of big names. Paul Pogba is set to miss the remainder of the season through injury, while club captain Harry Maguire has been dropped.
The 29-year-old's status for the big game was up in the air after the defender was subjected to a sick bomb threat earlier this week. And interim boss Ralf Rangnick hinted that Maguire's tough week - rather than his recent drop in form - was the reason he'd be 'rested' for the match against the Gunners.
The German told MUTV: "I had to make a decision between the three of them [Lindelof, Varane, Maguire]. Two could only play. Harry has had a tough week. I decided to give him a rest and play with Rapha Varane and Victor Lindelof."
