An early flavour of a summer in Portugal

The crop of players who won the World Youth Championships in 1989 and 1991 have long been known as Portugal's Golden Generation.

Their potential for their country has never been realised but some, notably Luis Figo and Rui Costa, will still be around next summer for a final chance of success.

Alongside them will be a new batch of players who are making their mark across Europe and in the Premiership.

Ronaldo at United has already shown what a talent he is even though he is just 18, Newcastle have Hugo Viana, 20, and there is 21-year-old Helder Postiga at Tottenham. Bolton are grooming Under-17 international Ricardo Vaz Te for the future and if Barcelona had not got there first in the summer, Ricardo Quaresma, 20, would also have been at Old Trafford.

This group are notable for their attacking flair as well as their youth and Boa Morte, who has spent the past six years in England, thinks it is significant there are so many in the Premiership.

He said: "There have always been Portuguese players here but it has usually been just one at a time, Paolo Futre at West Ham for example.

"But now there is more and that is an indication of how healthy the national team are."

At 26, Boa Morte is somewhere between his country's fading and emerging golden generations. He is not established in the Portugal squad but is desperate to be there next summer and it has shown in his performances this season.

The unpredictable winger has scored five goals already and Fulham all but blamed their last two disappointing results, the goalless draw against Wolves and 3-2 defeat by Newcastle, on his absence.

Boa Morte has been struggling with his annual hamstring problem but has returned to training and is expected back tomorrow.

There is a feeling around the club's training ground that Chris Coleman would bandage him up personally to get him back in the team even though the manager has no new injury worries.

Ronaldo, who could line up on United's right against his compatriot on Fulham's left, has not had time to establish himself in the same way at United after making a £12million move to England in August.

An unused substitute at Rangers on Wednesday night, the teenager must bide his time after early season rave reviews and the odd diving allegation. But Boa Morte is no doubt about Ronaldo's potential. He said: "I think he can be one of the best in the world.

"There are some things he needs to work hard on but he is a very talented player already. I don't think you can expect much more from an 18-year-old and people said the same things about Michael Owen when he came through.

"I have seen him a few times on television and met him for the first time a couple of weeks ago when the Portugal squad met to play Albania.

"You could see in training and on the pitch that he is a very good player. I don't think he will be the next Figo because there is only one, but maybe in a few years we will be looking for the next Cristiano Ronaldo."

That will depend on how well he settles in England. The signs are good but Boa Morte, who moved from Ronaldo's old club Sporting Lisbon to Arsenal when he was 19, urges patience.

"There will be pressure from joining a big club in a new country and how you deal with it depends on how mature you are," he said.

"You can only be so mature at that age but he looks like he has settled well and he has brought his mum with him, which should help."

Boa Morte and Ronaldo could be rivals on the same pitch tomorrow and by next summer they may be competing for the few wingers' places in the Portugal squad.

The Fulham player said: "There is a lot of competition in my position and I will just have to do well for my club and then hope I get in for my country. I will wish Ronaldo well tomorrow and maybe the game will show people what they can look forward to next summer, but I don't want him to score or United to win."

The real victors, if both players are given licence to play, could be Portugal.