Fergie watched his side move to within seven points of Premier League leaders Liverpool with victory against Middlesbrough on Monday and he is sure the experience of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville will steer United’s New Year charge.
The three veterans played their part in back-to-back wins over Christmas, and Ferguson reckons their title-winning know-how will see United close the gap on Rafa Benitez’ side.
“It has been a great year,” said Ferguson. “We’ve won four trophies, including the Community Shield – and want more.
“They are a young side and they are hungry, but what really helps them is Neville, Giggs and Scholes.
“You saw them at Stoke and not one of them made a mistake. Between the three of them they were magnificent.
“I brought on Neville and Scholes against Middlesbrough and that made a difference.
“They are showing the rest of the players how you win titles. It’s that experience that will help us.”
Ferguson accepts that the biggest threat to United’s title defence is an impending fixture backlog.
They already have two games to make up on Liverpool and Chelsea, and they could have yet another if they reach the Carling Cup final.
But Fergie is confident he has built a squad strong enough to cope with the four-pronged assault on the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup.
“The key now is how we handle the second half of the season,” he said. “We haven’t taken this on blindly.
“I have been planning for this pressure by creating a squad that gives me options, and the manpower to make changes without weakening the team.
“Our pool of players is getting stronger, as the younger lads mature and come into the squad at a level where I can play them, knowing that they will perform.”
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crumpsallmann, Chesapeake, VA USA (31/12/2008 at 13:30)