Fergie maintains title focus

January 13, 2007

SIR Alex Ferguson saw his Manchester United side keep Chelsea at arm's length and insisted he was not concerned about the champions' form.

Goals from Michael Carrick - his first for the club - Ji-Sung Park and Cristiano Ronaldo defeated Aston Villa.

The 3-1 victory meant United remain six points clear of Chelsea, who beat Wigan 4-0 to end their recent patchy league form, and in the driving seat to win the Barclays Premiership title.

With Arsenal next up, Ferguson said: "The important thing is for us to do our job.

"This is another one on our list of games. We now have 15 left.

"We want to go to Arsenal and get the result we want. That is the only thing we can think about."

Ferguson was pleased to see Carrick get off the mark following his é18million move from Tottenham last summer.

He found the target with a half-volley after being set up by Park for United's second goal.

Park had made the breakthrough following a dreadful error from Gary Cahill, who miskicked in the six-yard area.

Ferguson said: "It is good for Carrick and Park as well to get goals.

"We now have quite a few scorers in our ranks, which is pleasing.

Sensible

"We are just waiting for Gary Neville to come up with one."

Ronaldo celebrated being presented with his Player of the Month award by scoring his 13th goal of the season.

He headed home at the far post following Carrick's cross after Park had dispossessed Gavin McCann.

Ferguson said: "We did the sensible things well, like keeping possession at the right time.

"The good thing is we are creating chances and scoring goals."

Wayne Rooney was again out of luck, seeing one effort come back off the crossbar.

Ferguson said: "He needs a goal to give him confidence.

"But he is working hard and enjoying his football. I have no concerns about him.

"There was good penetartion by us and good passing up front.

"Henrik Larsson had another marvellous game. His link-up play is fantastic as is his movement."

Villa pulled a goal back through Gabriel Agbonlahor after a good run and cross from Milan Baros.

Do you think United will hold on and win the title? Have your say.

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David, South Texas Red (13/01/2007 at 21:00)

If the rotation continues and the goal scoring across the team ends strong, then the current streak looks well.

The lads did well and congratulations to the Reds for the delicious victory.

Man-in-Exile, London (14/01/2007 at 01:42)

Next weekend is massive, it could be pivotal, the gap could be 3, 4, 6, 7 or 9 points after the Arsenal game. Personally, I think that both ourselves and Chelski will draw which will do nicely.

de Meester, Amsterdamned (14/01/2007 at 13:29)

Yes that's true.
The form is good but our wastefulness with chances created or given to us is poor.
I estimate that we really could nave 10-12 more goals by now.
Without wishing to sound churlish that would put us in even a stronger position!
Granted that we sit on top and that is more than so many of us could have dreamed of a year ago!
Indeed another hard game for us next week against l'arsce.
If I am slightly peeved that we didn't score as many next week it should mean a job well
accomplished.
Though seriously we will have to be sharper before goal!
What good is that we have plenty of striking optioons on the bench - alas that CM is not represented!
Ah, what is it fine to be a red!

de Meester, Amsterdamned (14/01/2007 at 13:37)

Let us please keep focused and not stray further than next game!
I hope sincerely that the rumours that Heinze is thinking about moving on aren't true!
We need him to fight for a place!, and he's a red!
Maenwhile it appears that Bale has decided on a u-turn and will chocse United.
We will have left-backs galore!
Maybe he will be cionverted to a winger!
Up The Reds

de Meester, Amsterdamned (14/01/2007 at 13:41)

I hope that everyone stays focused and sharp - and we collect no long-term injuries!
It appears that Park's matches are getting him fitter, he puts so much effort into his game, a pity that he's technically not a true winger, but he's direct!

Super Red, Malta (14/01/2007 at 16:18)

OK so we're looking for different scorers, hopefully we won't be in such dire straits as to require EvS to go looking for them.

Dave Pickup, Spain (14/01/2007 at 18:36)

How's this for a cracking idea and also a bit of insurance.
Seeing as David won't be playing for Madrid again,why don't we take him on loan.This would satisfy a number of requirements;Madrid wouldn't have to pay his wages for no return;Dave could say a proper farewell to Utd. and other English fans; He may win a final Prem/Cup medal; McClaren would be able to see what he is missing.Most of all,he would be temporarily playing for his first and only love.
I know he wouldn't be able to play in European games but he could provide great cover in other games. Go for it Fergie!

mo gill, bradenton (14/01/2007 at 18:56)

never needed to get out 2nd gear
next week's game is the one - we must beat the arse away to keep momemtum going and send clear signal we championship material again. trouble brewing in chelski land.

sam, nairobi. (14/01/2007 at 20:16)

i agree too,becks would be the icing on the cake.and i think he has the skils2b a holdin mid-he can tackle,distribute,and hes freekicks..!
bout sundays game,wil b xtra motivated afta tha chelski result plus gilberto n fabregas m8t nt play.?heard we ve bot bale,nybody knows anythin?

clarence, DENTON (14/01/2007 at 21:10)

Dave not a bad idea.

squirel, malaysia (15/01/2007 at 03:11)

dave pickup..great idea! i love to see david beckam once again in united shirt.at least ronaldo will learn something from him how to take a proper freekick! good cover for CM too..much much better than JOS!!!

Birdy, Ireland (15/01/2007 at 08:58)

As SAF said its another game chalked off and thats the wy i'm looking at it. 15 to go. Wer'e 6 ahead, which is as good as 7 because of the goal difference. That means Chelsea have12 games to reel us in, which isn't a hell of a lot. I dont think i've ever started counting down to the seasons end so early. I'd take a draw against Arsenal at this point.

Alias Smith, over the moon (15/01/2007 at 10:17)

Birdy, Arsenal are very strong at home and I think a draw would be a good result. Will Gilberto be able to play or does his suspension kick in immediately?

Birdy, Ireland (15/01/2007 at 10:20)

Not sure Alias. I know they overhauled the procedure a yr or 2 ago to make suspensions start sooner and not 3 or 4 wks later as they used to, but not sure he's out. Hopefully he is. I know Arsenal aren't appealing as they risk an extra match ban, so he might be out. Fingers crossed

TMUF, Manchester (15/01/2007 at 10:50)

Gilberto is suspended for our game and Arsenal aren't appealing so kicks in immideiately. I cant believe people are suggesting we bring Becks back. OK he was a great sorry good player for us but forget about that, that was years ago when he was at his peak. He is a shadow of the player he was and is no better then Fletcher IMO. Why would we ant to pay 100,000 odd on Becks just because he isnt good enough to make the not so good Real Madrid team. Capello is no idiot! I would rather we get keane from sunderland for 6 months rather then the over-hyped Becks. Lets get serious, Real are still in with a chance of winning the CL and the La Liga this season. If Becks was any good, surely Capello would be mad to lose a player that could contribut in those competitions.

RCH, Salford (15/01/2007 at 11:52)

Gilberto being out is a big bonus. I can't say i'm as worried about Arsenal's revival as some on here, the only worry is for us to slip into our comfort zone like we continue to do. All the Goon loving media went into overdrive about Arsenal's win over Liverpool in the FA Cup. Can't say i was that impressed with them it was more to do with Liverpools failure to make all their possession count. The real quality with Arsenal was the finishing, they really just sat back and broke on the counter-attack and when they had a chance they made it count. With Gilberto out of the way it'll be alot more difficult for them. So we have to try and keep the tempo up in BOTH halves, something we can't seem to do we seem to do unless we concede! Also I hope he comes good at the Emirates but it's just not happening for Wayne I keep thinking every weekend this will be it, but he still looks poor and you do have to wonder whether its right he's keeping other players out of the side.

Birdy, Ireland (15/01/2007 at 12:08)

Agree TMUF that we shouldnt bring Becks back. Hes shot as a top level player i think. That said i'd much much much prefer to have him coming off the bench than DF or JOS but he wouldnt go anywhere to be a sub. I wouldnt like to underplay his part in our success during the 90's though. I though he was a great player for us at his peak. In the 99 team that midfield was the best in the world in evey position and he deserves the credit for how good he was back then, and how crucial he was to the way we played. I cant see him going anywhere between now and moving to LA because if he got a bad injury he could jeopardise his contract

chris, oxford (15/01/2007 at 12:33)

TMUF: Have you gone down with something? Normally your posts are well thought out and show some sense but Fletcher as good as Becks??? Please! Fletcher isn't fit to tie Beckhams boots.

Dave Keighley, Kent (ex-Cheadle) (15/01/2007 at 12:45)

Sam, if there's something Beckham can't do (in addition to heading and beating a man one-on-one) it's tackling. Beckham was wonderful at United as part of a particular set of players at a particular time. I dare say he can still produce great crosses and free kicks when the mood takes him. But I can't see him fitting into the present set-up, and there's always the chance that his presence will disrupt the ship, even allowing for the fact that a few of his old buddies (Giggs, Scholes and Neville) are still around. In this case, sadly, I think we should stick to the old adage "there's no going back".

Alias Smith, over the moon (15/01/2007 at 12:48)

What a big week this is, I'm having kittens already. Fantastic!

bobbydazzler, lowton (15/01/2007 at 15:00)

chris totally agree. becks is 9 years older and is still faster than df. becks can also pass shoot something df cant do. becks can run all day and make it effective unlike our whirling scotsman. tmuf keep taking the tablets matey

de Meester, Amsterdamned (15/01/2007 at 16:26)

Becks back @ OT!
No, a no-brainer!
I am afraid that Capello is no fool - he knows what he sees! That's why Robnaldo, Becks and others aren't featuring for the globetrotters!
The play would bpas becks by, as it did eventually with Robbo, Eric and Keano!
Up The Reds

Keene, Keane County (15/01/2007 at 19:54)

The ignorance of some shines so brightly in these posts from time to time...to think some will argue that Becks offers us no more that Fletcher.... what are these people on...Beckman as a shadow of himself at his peak is still premiership quality whereas Fletcher never was and will never be premiership quality. Neither in quality or leadership ability. I for one do not want either Beck's or "the flailing strawman" at United...we need CM's, a left winger and a RB.
So whatsup, Sir Alex ....someone in your scouting dept. must have identified someone to help strengthen the team for the homestretch and Euro....please "pull the trigger" and make it happen, show us you're still interested in improving the side as we cannot expect Chelsea or us to have the same luck over the next 15 games...although I hope I am wrong...GO UNITED!!!
Spirit of Keano

TMUF, Manchester (15/01/2007 at 23:14)

OK maybe a little over the top but you get the point. The bench is warmer in Madrid then in Manchester so him joining doesnt benefit any party other then Madrid

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