Cristiano Ronaldo says it would have been impossible for him to maintain the standards of last season but has vowed to recapture his best form.

The Portugal forward is expected to be named Fifa World Player of the Year later today, after scoring 42 goals for Manchester United last season, for which he has already received the prestigious Ballon d'Or. However, the 23-year-old has struggled to recapture that form after recovering from ankle surgery in the summer.

It has been suggested Real Madrid's public pursuit of Ronaldo during the close season has unsettled the player, but he claims the drop off in his performance level was inevitable after the brilliance of last term.

"Tell me one player who had a great season for two, three, four years at the top level? It's impossible, you don't have anyone," he said. "Last season I think I did brilliant but this season, in my opinion, I'm not bad. I've scored ten goals up to now (he has nine in 23 matches), I've come in from injury and people are waiting [for me to get] better and better all the time.

"It is not easy but I know I feel in good form and I think Cristiano is coming better and better. If not this season, then next season I know I can do as well again."