Source: Eurosport
Fergie saddles up for home straight
Sir Alex Ferguson has chosen Grand National weekend to tell Manchester United it is time to 'kick on' in the Premier League title race.
As a keen racing fan, Ferguson is acutely aware how gruelling Saturday's Aintree spectacular can be, and how much adversity must be overcome by the eventual winner.
He does not see that much difference with the challenge posed by a 38-game league season. And, after successive defeats against Liverpool and Fulham, Ferguson feels United should not worry about what is past and renew their focus on what lies ahead.
"It is very appropriate to talk about the Grand National," he said.
"You go round those 30 fences and you might hit one or a horse might fall in front of you.
"Our challenge is about obstacles too. You might draw or (suffer) a defeat. You might play badly sometimes and win or play great and not score. That is because it is the toughest league in the world.
"The facts is we are a point clear. It doesn't matter how we got there, it is a great position to be in. What we have to do now is prove we can trust these players and they can trust each other.
"They can look round the dressing room and say, 'I am glad I have got these guys in my team'.
"With that kind of ability and the experience we have of run-ins, I expect them to kick on. That is what we intend to do."
For once Ferguson was happy an international break interrupted the rhythm of domestic action. Although most of his players have been kept busy with various World Cup engagements, Ferguson managed to get away for a week's break in France while many of his coaching staff were able to put their feet up as well. And that could prove vital as the Red Devils look to stave off the renewed threat of Liverpool, who could be top by the time Aston Villa come to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
"The lads have all been away to meet up with different players in a different situation and it was possibly the right time for that to come along," he said."But sometimes the staff need it more than the players.
"It was great for me. I had a week's rest and I think we have all benefited from it."
Ferguson certainly looked a picture of health. And he is clearly very focused, too, judging by the way he refused to discuss any issue other than the performance of his own team. The rare occurrence of successive defeats has admittedly provided plenty to think about, although the United boss feels it has only corrected some of the over-the-top assessments of his team.
"We have had quite a hum-drum time in terms of going to Japan (for the Club World Cup), catching up the leaders and then listening to all the nonsense about how good we are," he reflected."I have tried to dampen things down and dismiss all the talk about five trophies. Then the job is done by Fulham's result."
