Fergie hails defensive strength

February 01, 2008

SOLID FORM: Rio Ferdinand

UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his team are heading towards a second successive title because of their all-round strength, not just because of the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The glittering trio of Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez have hogged the headlines, with the Portuguese winger particularly impressive.

While Ferguson has revelled in their attacking exploits, he feels the defence has been overlooked.

United have conceded only 11 goals in 24 league games going into the match against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Ferguson said: "I must put in a complimentary word for our defence, which is doing even better than last season.

"Our title success then was based on a solid foundation at the back with just 27 goals conceded in the Premier League.

"We are well into the second half of the current season and we are well on track (to beat it).

"There is a good understanding of the importance of the defensive part of our game right through the team."

Which part of the team do you think is working best this season? Have your say.

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Gerry, Glastonbury (01/02/2008 at 09:07)

Special word here for Wes. They have moulded him into a right back come hook or by crook and he's done a really good job - he's even kept his England squad place from Capello.
Yes, his distribution isn't great at times but he has improved in that position 100%. He misses nothing in the air and is a no nonsense tackler. I can't think of one winger who has taken him to the cleaners.
His positional play has improved ten fold and he now looks quite comfortable there. He'll have some difficult games to come (Spurs won't be easy for starters)and we'll be depending on him against the best in Europe (hopefully) so keep up the good work Wes and well done.

THAT BOY RONALDO, Manchester (01/02/2008 at 10:09)

Gerry, Glastonbury, good comments! I've always thought highly of Wes. He's a top player, and nobody can really argue otherwise. His performances this season have been outstanding really. He hasn't had a problem with any player yet this season, and i'm sure that'll continue. The rest of the defence is as solid as anything. In fact i'm betting we don't let in another 5 goals this season. As well as the defence are playing, the attack have to contribute as well, and they most certainly are doing. They are a joy to watch. Here comes the trebble.

Justin The Great, manchester (01/02/2008 at 10:43)

well said Gerry, i have always been a fan of WES, hes a very important player this season. well done to evra for providing extra flair in midfeild (has he got more attacking flair than carrick??). special shout to rio and vida, such a great central pairing. i always wondered how rio and stam would have got on.... wouldnt have imagined a better pairing than rio and stam but SAF has found it with vida and rio

KingPig, Hyde (01/02/2008 at 11:39)

Forget the treble. First think we need to do is make sure we get 10 premierships. Then, get to 19 league titles before the scousers.

Balders, Tier 2 Stretford (01/02/2008 at 11:57)

spot on terry ! & some big tests are still to come. there's no bigger fan of Wes, on here than me, BUT saturday at spurs & then against city will provide another indication of how well he's done!

i'm so looking forward to Wes (hopefully) giving Petrov his welcome (at last) to English football!

I hope Wes is in his face from the ko (he'll need to be) & lets him have a 'bone cruncher' early on !

btw, heard muppets on the radio yesterday still saying rio is over-rated & makes too many mistakes ! These people are really funny, you could create a tv programme about them BUT what pppp's me off is that nobody ever says/asks to point out these mistakes. Where/when have they been? As Delia says "c'mon, let's be having ya!"

mick the red fireman, middleton (01/02/2008 at 12:42)

Good posts today well said giving Petrov a proper welcome also Scholes to give Elano a couple of Manc bone crushers then watch his dummy fall out. On the pantomine site hes signed oh no hes not, we want him badly, we dont need him anyway, as Francis Lee said "cups for cock ups".

bobbydazzler (01/02/2008 at 12:44)

gerry spot on can anybody tell me of a better right back in pl? he is miles better than micah

OohAah (01/02/2008 at 12:50)

KingPig - Ah, the 19 league titles... a day I have been quietly dreaming of for many a year now. All of a sudden it doesn't seem so far off. When the day comes, I'll be more drunk than I have ever been in my entire life.

We need to do some catching up in Europe in the meantime to go with it though!

mickle, midlands (01/02/2008 at 13:17)

special word for rio also - he definitely isn't the fans favourite - but he's the best defender in the PL by a long way

KingPig, Hyde (01/02/2008 at 14:40)

OohAah - That will take some doing... I heard you were a RIGHT mess after the treble!

Mick, Dublin (01/02/2008 at 14:42)

As a keeper myself, can I mention big Ed?

He's got over his colly-wobbles last season and has been superb. Impeccable handling, great shot-stopping, two good feet and a general calming influence on the whole back line.

His distribution is also exceptional and it's only a matter of time before he puts one on a plate for Rooney.

Well done, VdS. Keep it up.

Iben Wong (01/02/2008 at 14:45)

Good post Gerry...can't agree with you more!
Hope he stays and continues to add his versatility to the team! One game at a time!!!

COLIN,, Canada (01/02/2008 at 15:56)

If I was picking the spurs team, I would play lennon on the left and Malbranque on the right just to put Lennon's pace against Wes. I thought Lennon had a good game against us in the cup so it should be a good game to watch. Team really picks itself now with the exception of mid field where we will probably see Scholes and Hargreaves. Nice thing about our mid field is that we can sub tevez for say Carrick/Anderson with a one goal lead and miss nothing. Do we not have a better pic of Rio?

STILL FEEDING THE GOAT, Manchester (01/02/2008 at 16:04)

PLEASE PLAY NEVILLE FOR THE DERBY - AS I HAVE GREAT ODDS FOR HIM FEEDING STURIDGE THIS TIME!

Bfast Red, Belfast (01/02/2008 at 17:57)

Anyone who suggests that we are a one man team should pay particular attention to this article.

Bomber Harris, In Exile.West Germany (01/02/2008 at 18:59)

Cor!Not many English in the team!

blueloon, Northwich (01/02/2008 at 20:26)

i hope arsenal dont score to may against us

mamucium fc (01/02/2008 at 20:33)

hope nevile is ok for the derby as i dont (and never have) rate wes, but nevile is a dead cert to make a mistake ie feeding of the goat.ps that picture of rio its so flattering

Alias Smith, over the moon (01/02/2008 at 20:45)

Mick, you're right. Best keeper we've had since Schmeichel by a long shot. Was surprised at him last season because would not have expected him with all his experience to react so shakily to what were admittedly a couple of very nasty facial knocks.

As you say, he's put it behind him and hopefully he will keep going strong until Foster is ready to take over.

Dev, Johannesburg (02/02/2008 at 11:27)

We're spoilt for choice now in midfield. If Tevez needs a rest then I think Anderson can play a great role just behind Rooney upfront, supported by Hargreaves and Scholes in the middle (with of course Ron/ Park and then Giggs/ Nani on the wings).

With CL coming up we should not forget to rest Ron, and Rooney probably at some point. Giggs should not play a full game either - we need his experience in the big games, so he too must be preserved (sorry Barry Lee). If we play as we did on Wednesday, then the goals should come in good time to rest our key players.

Anderson almost scored his first goal against Portsmouth - the missing element of his growing maturity. So he's getting closer, and once he gets his first goal we may understand why SAF has not rushed out to get a fourth striker... let's see.

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