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.”
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Hopefully before the typical "Dad's Army" bitters on this MEN site get in, I agree fully with Sir Alex. All three play a great part in United's success, both past, present and future. There is no substitute for experience.
There's no doubt that Scholes will have a major part to play. Less so Giggs, but he has proven he can still put in a good shift, though I hope it will be on the left wing from now on.
Gary has done blindingly well to come back and look anything like his old self.
I would still like Wes back on a regular basis though. However the cover at RB is now at overkill levels!
Not the correct subject, but Evra got 4 games for the mess at Stamford Bridge, what will Gerrard after his night on the town...?
Happy new year everybody, and keep the dream alive!
Certainly the old heads steadied the ship v Boro but I'm impressed with how Wayne Rooney has matured.Rooney wiil be be doing what Scholes,Giggs and Neville do at the gritty end of the season before too long. I think he has a really good unselfish footballing brain.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR ALEX.
(And long may you keep your good health and remain our manager until you're at least 97!)
MANY HAPPY RETURNS!
4 Trophys in 1 season and people are still moaning and some even calling for the managers head, I almost fell off my bar stool through laughing.
re "dads army"
hi crumpsallmann, guess I am one of the many who absolutely shudder at the sight of gary neville running on to the park
quite apart from being over the hill, slow and ineffective at right back, he should have stopped playing a couple of years ago when he had achieved everything in the game possible
he should have then handed his captains arm band to someone who is a natural leader on the field, who all the players can respect, vidic would be my pick, or rooney
I disagree less about scholes who still has the vision , passing and shooting to command a place on the team
not so sure about ryan giggs, gives the ball away far too many times and when we play fast raiding teams with a really skillful and quick midfield, (all the top 5 qualify)we are guaranteed to lose those vital games at home
not sure why SAF puts as much stead in playing the "old gaurd" he certainly got rid of many of the former incredible stalwarts pretty quickly like hughes, ince, mcgrath and even phil neville
lets hope he comes to his senses and plays the younger crop of players like rafael, anderson and nani before the title disappears to freakin merseyside
also how can SAF say he is happy with any of the team's performances of late? they have been pathetic
come on you reds
No wonder the old pensioner 'salutes the oldies'. They are the ones who are really committed to Utd. I watched (as a neutral) Utd play Boro the other night. It was a really dreary game, like watching paint dry (with a crowd who sounded like they were watching paint dry). But the really noticable thing was how two signings - Ronaldo and Berb - looked as if they really wished they were somewhere else. They looked as if they couldn't give a monkeys. Of course Berb scored but then Dean Windass would have scored that one. The guys who really really try are Everton's Rooney and Park - these guys love playing and give their all.
Happy New year to all my fellow United Supporters.
Once again it's the New year (well it is here in Aus) and yet again the pressure really begins as we start our charge towards the finish line in all that is available.
I can't argue with Sir Alex. I may not always agree, but he has got the results on the board year in and year out.
Unlike a Blues supporter I can't call that 'luck'.
Happy New Year.
Good. Without these guys, we will end up like Arsenal.
I like the fact that Ronaldo is playing more of a team game and is much more generous with his passing. Though wish he would just shoot and give us more goals!
Yeah right Boss, what you are saying is the geriatrics are going to win it all for us again this year, just like they did last year, right.
Well I have news for ya pal,
the younger more talented players in this team will win it for us, just like they did last year. We dont need players in this team who need an oxygen mask to get from one end of the field to the other.
I often wonder what Matt Busby would say if he could see the kind of football that Giggs is dishing out right now.
THE GOLDEN OLDIES eh, what a joke this is.
There is no substitute for experience. Gary Neville looked almost like the old Gary Neville when he came on against Boro and gave us that little extra drive down the right. We do have some great talent coming through but they still need the old heads to guide them. I do agree with George that Rooney will soon be in the same league but just wish he would sometimes be a bit more selfish. The future looks good. Happy New Year to everyone.
For me the greatest thing to come from experience is composure.
I didnt think Neville would come back but one pass he made when under pressure just outside the penalty box showed he has found his confidence back in his ability.
Anyone who can recall a year when we won anything without any experience players in the squad I would like to hear about it.
Or maybe we should dwell on the trophies Arsenal have had since selling Viera.
EVERY member of our squad is going to be needed and are very valuable.
We are in a very very good position at the moment which begs the question of why are there still quite a few negative comments!
The like os Neville,Scholes and Giggs are valuable assets even now.They turned a 0-0 draw into a 1-0 win on Monday night as they didnt panic.They have been in that situation numerous times before.They all know they are coming to the end of their Old Trafford careers and I believe they have accepted this but they still have a part to play.For me Gary has been our most consistent player over the last 12 years Giggsys contribution has been awasome in Fergies reign and his appearance recored will NEVER be beaten and I dont think I will ever see a more majestic midfielder than Scholes grace Old Trafford again all three top drawer players whom we should be thankful as alot of modern day pros would be looking for a move after a few years these guys have been loyal
No other club, anywhere in the world, is in our position.
And support the players. Each of them is important and what they do could decide a trophy for us.
david the red, what do you think Sir Matt would think about back-to-back titles and the double last season? What do you think he would think about us being in with a shout of five trophies at this stage of the season? SAF made Sir Matt a very happy man in his old age - finally someone who was a worthy successor and could bring the success that the club deserved. And then some. Seriously, your comments are totally inappropriate IMO.
TMUF, liked your comments. Hit the nail on the head with comparisons to the situation at Arsenal.
Hail the fab 4.
David the Red - you're wrong on the account of fitness of the older players. Giggs in particular is remarkably fit and is still going strong in the 90th minute. Sorry David but your just plain wrong.
Scholes doesn't get up and down the pitch like he used to because his role has changed in the team but if you can point me in the direction of a better passer of the ball in Europe today then I'd be pleased to know who they are? Gary Neville still has a role to play even if it is one of experienced cover.
All three are perhaps in their last full season so I would enjoy them while you
can as you won't see the likes of Scholes and Giggs again.
David the red,Perhaps new years morning is not the best time to post! Did you have a few beers?