Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta believes Cristiano Ronaldo can go on and become the world's top player.
Arteta knows Ronaldo could hold the key for Manchester United when the teams meet in the Barclays Premier League at Old Trafford tomorrow.
The Spanish star has watched the progress of his opponent with a mixture of admiration and astonishment.
"I love him. I think he's brilliant," said Arteta.
"The way he has developed his game over the past two years is unbelievable.
"He handles the pressure so well - he doesn't mind it at all. He's improving all the time.
"Ronaldo is the kind of player that always wants to do something different, and that is really good.
"He is still very young and he's got everything to allow him to become the best ever.
"Ronaldo is in a great club; he's got great players around him and he looks better and better every year."
Everton are not doing too badly themselves and are unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions.
Eleven of those have been victories, the latest coming in midweek when AZ Alkmaar were defeated in the UEFA Cup.
The result was heartening, considering manager David Moyes left a number of senior players at home - among them Arteta - with United in mind.
He is relishing the challenge that lies immediately ahead.
"Old Trafford is my favourite ground away from home, and they are always really hard games," Arteta told evertonTV.
"But we are on a very good run, and that's a place to go to enjoy your football.
"We will be organised and try and get something out of the game.
"That would give us terrific confidence as well. It is a really important part of the season when you are playing every two or three days."
Defenders Phil Neville and Joseph Yobo have both shrugged off knocks and could return to the side.
Moyes said: "We showed, against a good side in AZ with a great home record, that we could get a result - even though we changed the side.
"We are at a stage now where all the players feel they can do a job for the team when they are called on.
"United will be a difficult test, as always, but there is a lot of belief around the place."
