Fergie starts mind games

July 23, 2008

Sir Alex Ferguson

UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson reckons the Chelsea squad is too old to spring any surprises in the Premier League race this season.

Ferguson dismissed new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari's chances of repeating the unprecedented success Jose Mourinho brought to the Stamford Bridge club, who are expected to be United's main challengers for silverware once again this term.

"I'm not concerned about Chelsea," Ferguson told the Daily Mail. "Avram Grant did a good job and Mourinho won the title two years in a row and beat us in the FA Cup final.

"So there's no-one who can improve on Mourinho's record really."

Ferguson suggested Chelsea would struggle to push champions United as hard as they did last season with a squad he considers to be past their best.

He said: "They are an experienced side. I'm not saying necessarily that they're old because with the modern-day training methods, you should be playing in your 30s.

"What I'm saying is that I don't see outstanding progress coming from a team that's in their 30s."

Ferguson had kinder words for Arsenal and Liverpool, who he expects to complete the top four in the Barclays Premier League again this season.

United will be bidding to win their 11th Premier League title under Ferguson, a challenge that is set to be spearheaded by star striker Wayne Rooney.

Ferguson experimented with Rooney's position last season, often deploying him in a wide role.

Although the England forward worked hard for the team, his goal return was below par.

Ferguson said: "I think I have to take a bit of responsibility for it. He's sacrificed himself and never complained about it, which says a lot for the lad.

"But we kept using him in different positions. We need to define his role better."

Do you think Chelsea are really past it, or is Fergie just playing mind games? Have your say.

| Submit Comments | Comments (32) |

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

JoJ, Trondheim, Norway (23/07/2008 at 09:00)

The age thing is sometimes blown way out of proportion. Having the youngest team is not really that important and does not in any way guarantee future success. Look at Arsenal, for example; after four trophy-less years, their youngsters have suddenly decided to jump ship, which will induce Wenger to recruit new youngsters, which will leave without trophies as soon as they have progressed a bit, and so on. In other words: keeping an eye on tomorrow is important, but not more so than planning for success today.

Red Lou, Malta (23/07/2008 at 09:06)

It seems as if Saf has finally realised having players in their 30's hinders a team rather than improve it. So why keep considering Ryan Giggs and now Gary Neville when it is so abundantly clear that they are well past their best. Then there's also oldies like Van der Sar and Scholes who, although both past their peak, are still giving a very valid contribution to the team.

steve chew (23/07/2008 at 09:06)

SAF is right. Chelsea's top players are in their 30's and are known quantities and we know what they can do. Hence there are no suprises left bcause there's not much room left for individual improvement unlike MU's youngsters. This is not to say they are not a good team but rather individually most of them they have already peaked and therefore collectively they are a known quantity. For potential for stepping the game up another knotch, I would pick our MU youngsters who are still improving to the Chelsea old guard any time. Go MU!

Mrs Fullaway`s lodger (23/07/2008 at 09:42)

Love it! Straight on Scolari`s chin!

RussTiff (23/07/2008 at 09:55)

I can't believe that Stevie coppell is not being touted as the no.2 to Fergie. He was one of the best players i have ever seen in a red shirt and his record in management is second to none. He would then be in a position to take over from Fergie when he retires and take us on to greater glories

Palmer, London (ex Didsbury) (23/07/2008 at 10:09)

I think the thing I am looking forward to most this season is the Ferguson vs. Scholari battle, it should be like the old Wenger sparring we used to see.

SAF doesn't like Scholari does he? And for good reason, because he used Ronaldo in those friendlies too much, and it seems he has encouraged Ronny to leave the Premiership, and go to Real. (but, of course he would, now he is boss of Chelsea. He wouldn't have the same advice if he was boss of Barcelona)

This is a great start from our leader, I hope there is loads more to come. Get in there!

GEORGE LYONS, COLLYHURST (23/07/2008 at 10:12)

Beware the biter bit...old Giggsy and Co wont be pulling on the pampers ever again...

edinburgh red, edinburgh (23/07/2008 at 10:34)

I wouldn't discount chelsea from pushing hard again for the title, as they have such a massive squad they are impossible to derail through suspensions or injuries such is its depth, plus they have a limitless amount of money to recruit, if only we could get roman to pack his bags. I wish we would hurry up and add to our own numbers as we have young players in the squad who aren't showing enough to break into the team plus older players who play more than they should. ALSO I SEE TODAY THAT ESSIAN HAS ALREADY DECLARED THAT CHELSEA WILL WIN THE LEAGUE THIS SEASON, DIDN'T DROGBA SAY THE SAME THING LAST SEASON

JoJ, Trondheim, Norway (23/07/2008 at 10:48)

By the way, it is relfective of the modern world in general that the older you get, the more your mind gets obsessed with youth. But if that means an early-retirement deal for Giggsy, I'm fine with it.

manc abroad, OT (23/07/2008 at 11:18)

Slightly off the subject SAF has at last held his hands up and said he has made a mistake playing Rooney wide left as it has reduced the number of goals he scores.

At last, the penny has dropped. Play the lad as a striker.

marc (23/07/2008 at 12:14)

"fergie starts mindgames"

.....who with exactly??

so funny.... cute really.

Red Dawn (23/07/2008 at 12:20)

I think playing Rooney out wide was more to do with Queiroz than Ferguson.

There was a time when people were calling for Queiroz head, because he was trying to implement his own system with the wrong players, back in the Keane, Nistelrooy days etc..

It wasn't until the right players were signed that his system started to work.

Rooney's development could easily have been Ruined (excuse the pun) deploying him as they have for large parts of the season.

Rooney hasn't been the same player since Nistelrooy left, so that tells you he needs to be playing off a natural center forward.

Berbatov would bring the best out of Rooney.

david (23/07/2008 at 12:28)

RussTiff

are you serious about Coppell ?
he would be like a rabbit caught in the headlights if he came to united. remember when he was at city, 36 days he lasted, then cited he couldnt handle the pressure. if he came to united i think he would be a jibbering wreck after week one ! no thanks.

Patrick McLOUGHLIN, North Carolina, USA (23/07/2008 at 12:38)

new season team (when ronaldo fit)

vandersar

neville vidic ferdinand evra

carrick scholes hargreaves

ronaldo berbatov rooney

subs....tevez nani anderson brown foster

berbatov will add clout and guile to our forward line..this manchester united team good to win it all again..enough said

brian meanwell (23/07/2008 at 12:40)

SAF's comments have again been taken out of context but when you consider Giggs especially plus Neville, VDS & Scholes are about ready for the knackers yard his words could come back to haunt him. Now that Chelski have unloaded Makele I don't see any of their players in that category.

Masta, London (23/07/2008 at 13:11)

Mrs Fullaway's lodger

Ivica Dragutinovic ring a bell ?. The Premiership is in for a big shock with Scolari. Jose is a real gent compared with Phil and it is a wee bit naive to think that SAF's comments on Chelsea's players was a hit on the chin. I just hope this season brings the best out of the players and managers in our distinguished league.

Red Rob (West Lower) (23/07/2008 at 13:13)

What was the pun there Red Dawn? I think I missed it.

george (23/07/2008 at 13:22)

Chelski were very strong in the champions league final.It was encouraging to know that when Chelski really wanted it UNITED held them.It is hard to see Chelski being any stronger,but they will be just as strong.UNITED on the other hand have Nani,Anderson etc stengthening their game.This is probably what SAF means.The odds are against UNITED and we like it that way.

Bradley (23/07/2008 at 13:49)

As comments have gone onto the new number 2. Sir Alex has said he's likely to be from overseas. Would think transfer policy would dictate where United will be shopping by where the new coach is from. I hoped for Blanc, but doubt he'd settle for being assistant

peter (23/07/2008 at 13:50)

thank god for our young squad - van der sar (37)
neville (33) vidic (27)ferdinand (29) brown (28)
scholes (34) giggs (34) evra(27) carrick (27) hargreaves (27) park (27) saha (29) silvestre (30) ... what a great youth policy - just buy him if you can't poach em

chris, oxford (23/07/2008 at 14:03)

Couldn't agree more Brian, when you consider our most influential player outside of Ronaldo is Scholes who has one, maybe two seasons left in him, we are in no position to talk about age.

bobbydazzler (23/07/2008 at 14:25)

manc abroad play him with a"proper striker" and you will see the best of rooney.

george (23/07/2008 at 15:39)

Chris oxford;Scholes and Giggs are already finished at doing 90mins in top flight football.Fortunately an hour of their contibutions can still be telling.For how long tho?

Happy Valley Barry, San Francisco, California (23/07/2008 at 15:51)

Ooohh, the mind games! That's why SAF chose not to be included in the original cast of Star Trek, didn't you know this? Instead using his other wordly powers to
promote football throughout the universe and beyond.
This season Sir will use his
mind power to control Sep Blatter, From now Sep will attend all football matters in tight feminine football attire and wear an, "I'm a
slave to my fat wage packet", sign affixed to his big head. Thank you Sir!
Up the Reds,

The Trawler, Stockport (23/07/2008 at 16:07)

Tune in again next week for more 'Mind Games' when we bring you 'The greatest squad I've ever had...ever'.

()

Report

Manchester United