Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to hit the ground running as he chases title number 20. He’s vowed not to keep chopping and changing his United line-ups during pre-season games, including the eagerly  awaited glamour clash with David Beckham and his MLS All-Stars at New York’s Red Bull Stadium.

The Reds boss reckons he’s learned from last season when he felt United’s match fitness levels were below par as Chelsea flew out of the blocks.
Fergie said: “Last year, I mucked up by giving the players too many half games in pre-season and not enough 90 minutes.

“I will address that this year because when we played Fulham and Everton early last season we were well short, fitness wise.”

United drew both those games which, at the time, appeared to be very costly.

As it was, their rivals all fell away, with Chelsea unable to claw back the deficit once they managed to find form after an atrocious mid-season slump.

Ferguson knows where the challenges are coming from this season ... but believes the answer lies within.

“Anyone can win the league – ourselves, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea,” said Ferguson, who fully  accepts the Blues’ improved status makes them more formidable opposition, which is why he wants the volume turned down at Wembley fopr the Community Shield on August 7.

“But when I look at it, our biggest challenge is ourselves.”

Ferguson’s comments about not needing further reinforcements certainly indicate a need to extract more from the dressing room given that a bombshell deal to bring in Wesley Sneijder to replace Paul Scholes in central midfield is looking increasingly unlikely.

“We lost five players in their 30s this summer,” he reflected.

“That helped finance the three younger players – Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea – I have brought to the club.

“At this moment, I can’t see another addition. The type of player we might have been looking for is not available.

“I am happy with the players I have got at this moment in time.”

Meanwhile, one of Fergie’s best  buys, Javier Hernandez, would be going head to head with his own hero if he managed to play any part of the MLS game that kicks-off early tomorrow morning our time.

As Hernandez only returned to training at the weekend after finishing top scorer in Mexico’s triumphant Gold Cup campaign, Sir Alex  has already placed doubt over the 22-year-old’s likely involvement. But if he does manage a few minutes, he would hope to be on the same pitch as Omar Bravo, who was drafted into the MLS squad by commissioner Dan Garber, a Mexican striker Hernandez looked up to as he was taking his first steps in the game at Guadalajara.

“You are talking about a legend of Mexican soccer,” said Hernandez.

“At Club Guadalajara, he is an icon and an idol. To me, he is still an extraordinary player.

“I spent a lot of time with him as a kid. He taught me a lot and the season we played in the same team together, our club made history by completing eight consecutive victories. I am really grateful to him.”

The chances are Hernandez will not play, though, with Ferguson determined not to rush back to full fitness the man who shocked everyone by scoring 20 goals in his debut Premier League season.

“He has had a month’s holiday, which he needed after the Gold Cup,” said Ferguson.

“It was a long season and he played in the World Cup as well, so he has not had a lot of rest in the last year.

“The most important thing for us is to give him some proper training before we even consider him for the first team.”

Hernandez’s arrival has been welcomed by fans, who on United’s three stops so far have been disappointed by the Mexican’s absence.

It is a reflection of the impact he has made since joining United 12 months ago, although he insists his life has not changed despite the obvious adulation.

“I feel the same,” he said. “I am playing for the best team in the world. The only thing that has changed in the last 12 months is that I have played a lot of games.

“All I have done is try to improve. That is the only thing on my mind.

“This whole move has been a dream come true for me.

“The key has probably been my boss (Ferguson) and my team-mates. It means a lot to me to be part of Manchester United. All the extra things are just that, extra things. To be part of this team is wonderful.”

David Beckham has, meanwhile, gone some way to repairing his long-strained relationship with City fans – he said the Blues will never overtake United – by sticking  up for Mario Balotelli in the ongoing row over his ill-advised back heel in City’s friendly with LA  Galaxy in Los Angeles last weekend.

The former England skipper said: “I have watched it back  and, from his mannerisms, I believe he thought he was offside.”

“Mario has been a great player for quite a few years and he is still very young. He will continue to get better I am sure.

“But it doesn’t matter whether you think it was offside or not. There are a lot of young kids watching these teams and great players who come out here.

“You have to be professional and score the goal.”

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