Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates a ninth
Premiership title yesterday with a stark warning for his club's
closest rivals.
As the debate over where this latest championship success rates
in the Scot's impressive list of achievements, the veteran manager
is confident that, with so many key United players at the start of
their careers, his current squad can only get better.
"They are young enough," said Ferguson. "A lot of them are
winning their first title and that must help them, give them
confidence and a system of how to win the league.
"For us, we had to change it this year, starting well and
staying with it, showing the resilience of 29 weeks at the top of
the league with someone breathing down your neck.
"These are things that will help them and they are young enough
to expect them to go only one way.
"They are helped by the experience of (Paul) Scholes, (Ryan)
Giggs, (Gary) Neville, (Ole Gunnar) Solskjaer and I think those
people will be there for a couple of years at least."
Seasoned Old Trafford watchers reckon the team's form this
season, and the precocious talent of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano
Ronaldo in particular, means Ferguson's current squad could eclipse
the 1994 and 1999 United teams, considered among the greatest in
the club's history.
"Without question," said Ferguson, 65, of that possibility.
"There have been indications, in certain types of games this season
when we have had to battle through. Last Saturday, in the
Manchester derby, was like that.
"They found their energy to get through the game, win 1-0 and
they defended with great courage in the last ten minutes of the
match. That's a good guideline in terms of the best Manchester
United teams.
"Ability-wise? Yes, there is some excellent ability in the team,
at some good ages. If this team can stay together for a few years,
by doing that you develop friendships and become a stronger unit,
so I expect them to improve."
Giggs, Scholes, Neville and Solskjaer may all be entering the
final stages of their careers but Ferguson has no short-term fears
about losing such legendary United names.
"Without a question, Ryan will play the next two years," said
the manager. "He has looked after himself and has the type of
physique that is good.
"Quite remarkably, he has retained most of his pace, maybe he is
not as greased lightning as he was as a 17-year-old but he is still
quick enough.
"Him and Paul Scholes, Gary Neville should be no problem for two
more years at least, we have no immediate worries there.
"And of course, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is 34 but scored 11 goals
this season. If he gives us another 11 next season, we will be
dancing about it because that is another big contribution
there."
Sunday's match against West Ham at Old Trafford may represent
the end of United's league campaign but there is one more important
date left in the domestic campaign with Ferguson's men facing
title-rivals Chelsea at the new Wembley Stadium in Saturday's FA
Cup Final.
"I think winning the FA Cup is a special event and, to me, the
only way to enjoy Wembley is by winning," Ferguson explained.
"They talk about the improving English game, with three teams
making the semi-finals of the Champions' League, and I think the
Premiership is probably the best in Europe.
"This is an opportunity for both teams to give a display that
shows the right two teams are playing at the new Wembley.
"I see Chelsea as our main challengers next year. Arsenal are a
young team, Liverpool will be adding to their squad, maybe Arsenal,
too. But obviously Chelsea, with their resources, could rebuild
another team."
The Cup final also gives Ferguson the chance to claim the fourth
league and cup double of his United reign after achieving the feat
in 1994, 1996 and 1999, when they also lifted the European Cup for
the second time in their history.
"It has been harder for us this season with the injuries," said
Ferguson. "Hopefully, next season we will have a stronger squad to
cope with these things because it would be nice to get to another
European final."
(China Daily via AFP?May 14, 2007)