Source: Daily_Mail
Now for the 20th title, says Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
Share Sir Alex Ferguson last night set his sights on Manchester United's 20th league title after leading them to a record 19th with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn. [LNB]The most successful manager in the history of British football will be 70 at the end of this year, but he has no intention of stepping aside now that he has overtaken Liverpool's previous record of 18 titles - an amazing achievement given that, in, 1990 the 'score' was 18-7. [LNB]'I'm well and will be going on,' said Ferguson. [LNB] Hail from the chief: Sir Alex Ferguson pays homage to the fans[LNB]'It was a fantastic performance by the lads and the supporters and for everybody connected with the club. In terms of achievement, it's a great day. The atmosphere today was incredible. The supporters got behind us. We gave away a bad goal but they kept on.[LNB] 'In the Eighties it was all Liverpool so it was a big challenge for us. When I came down from Scotland, getting the first title was significant and there were some great teams after that. The 1993-94 team won the first Double in the club's history and since then it has been done two or three times. Success has carried on - all the players that come here know they have to win. [LNB]'It's not so much passing Liverpool. That thing about knocking Liverpool off their perch, I don't think I actually said it, but it's more important that United are the best team in the country in terms of winning titles.[LNB] We've done it: Rooney's penalty sealed a 19th title[LNB] 'Same with the FA Cup. We have won it more times than everyone and now we've won the Premier League more times than anyone. I can hardly believe it is 12 Premier League titles.[LNB] 'I had a great time at Aberdeen, but it was time to move on and I couldn't have picked a better club - the ideal club for me.' [LNB]United were unconvincing for much of the clash at Ewood Park, only getting a point thanks to a late Wayne Rooney penalty.[LNB] 'It wasn't an easy game, we went 1-0 down having given them a bad goal, but we don't give in. It looked like it was not going to be our day, we've always had it difficult here,' said Ferguson. [LNB] Injection of pace: Ryan Giggs and United quickened the tempo in the second half at Ewood Park[LNB]'It's a derby and they are fighting for their lives, but we kept going and that's a good quality.' [LNB]Ferguson sent his team out early for the second half adding: 'We were a little bit slow in the first half so Itold them to quicken up a bit. But winning it now is a bonus for us [with the Champions League final coming up]. We can now consider who should and who shouldn't be rested.[LNB]'But we have Gary Neville's testimonial [after the Blackpool game next Sunday] so those who don't play against Blackpool will play then, so they're ticking over.' [LNB]Fergie praise: Liverpool have been revived under Dalglish (left) and their former manager Hodgson (right)[LNB]Ferguson said that he believed the title was won at Old Trafford where United's form has been imperious, covering up their awful away form. [LNB]'When we look back, the area in which we are most disappointed in is our away form, where we've had nine draws. The focus will be our away form, but the home form was fantastic,' he said. [LNB]'But we dropped points to Blackburn, West Brom, Bolton, Birmingham, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle. That is an indication of how tough the league is.' [LNB]United started the season by going unbeaten in the first 24 games, finally losing 2-1 to Wolves in February, a defeat that Ferguson believes did his team good in the long run.[LNB] 'We went on a great run at the startof the season, but once we got that result against us it allowed us to focus again on winning the league,' he said. [LNB]Ferguson accepted that, after their recent run, Liverpool will be potent challengers next season, but added:'People have a go at Roy Hodgson, but he picked up a bad team. It was adeflated squad and Roy had an impossible job. [LNB]'Kenny Dalglish has come in and lifted the club because he knows what Liverpool is. He was a great player for them and just look at the results now. But it's not easy thisleague - as they'll find out.'[LNB] Rooney shaves 19 into his chest to celebrate United's record title triumphRio Ferdinand: We were 2-0 down at Blackpool and West Ham but got those games back. That's where you win titlesAll the latest Mancherster United FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Wayne Rooney, Kenny Dalglish, Roy Hodgson, Gary Neville Places: Newcastle, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Liverpool, Scotland
