Ferguson hints at Old Trafford exits

05 May 2010 06:57
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted at the summer exits of some senior Old Trafford players, as he looks to next season.[LNB] Ferguson has not completely given up on landing a fourth consecutive Premier League title.[LNB]However, the Scot does accept his side are in need of improbable assistance from neighbours Wigan and the situation looks "bleak".[LNB]Yet even if United somehow overturn the odds and become the first team to win four consecutive championships, Ferguson feels changes in personnel are inevitable.[LNB]"You have to take a decision about where we can improve the team," Ferguson told MUTV.[LNB]"When you are challenging for four trophies it can have a draining effect. You have to be aware of that and spot the moment when it is time to freshen up one or two players.[LNB]"It is not a desire to do it but you need to do it because the demands and pressures on players can, over time, be quite exacting."[LNB]Wayne Rooney will certainly be part of United's future.[LNB]The impact he has made at Old Trafford this season was confirmed at the club's annual player of the year awards as he lifted the three major prizes; fans and players' player of the year, plus the best goal.[LNB]"It was my best hat-trick," reflected Rooney, who will go into the final game with 34 goals to his name but knowing it should never have come to this.[LNB]"It has probably been the hardest Premier League. All the teams have lost games.[LNB]"If we could have been more consistent we would have won it.[LNB]"We shouldn't be losing seven games, even if other teams have dropped points as well."[LNB]Meanwhile, Ferguson will not torture himself by wondering where it went wrong if Manchester United fail to land a record fourth title on the trot.[LNB]Currently a single point adrift, there are a number of obvious points where the gap could have been made up.[LNB]"I used to look at every game but you can torture yourself with that," he told MUTV.[LNB]"We lost at Burnley at the start of the season. That was three points and we also missed a penalty. If we had scored that we might have won or at least got a draw that might have made a difference.[LNB]"We had a couple of refereeing decision against Chelsea. You could look at all things.[LNB]"You can twist and torture yourself but it happens. We get breaks ourselves sometimes."

Source: Team_Talk