Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson ready for Premier League twists

01 February 2009 16:14
United's 1-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford left them five points clear at the top of the table with 15 league games remaining and ideally placed to claim a third successive Premier League title. [LNB]But Ferguson refused to get carried away after Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half penalty earned his side a seventh straight league win. [LNB]"The important thing is we keep the form going," said Ferguson. "We have a difficult game away to West Ham next week. All teams drop points in the run-in. We just hope we don't drop as many as the rest.[LNB]"It's an advantage (being top). It's not a great advantage because there are still 15 games left. But it's always better to be top of the league than anywhere else." [LNB]Having started January third in the table, United ended the month with a significant advantage over closest challengers Liverpool and Chelsea and a game in hand. [LNB]Michael Carrick, sent tumbling by Mikel Arteta in the 44th minute for the spot-kick which allowed Ronaldo to notch his 13th goal of the season, said: "Who know how decisive our five-point advantage can be? [LNB]"We've done our bit this weekend," added Carrick. We're happy with 1-0, we've got another clean sheet and we had chances to score a few more." [LNB]And the England midfielder was adamant that United had yet to hit top form. [LNB]"We can be satisfied with the three points, but there's still more to come from us." [LNB]United's latest victory saw their Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar set an all-time English record for the most number of minutes without conceding a league goal. [LNB]His latest clean sheet meant Van der Sar had not conceded a goal in 18 hours and 42 minutes of action in the top tier. Samir Nasri was the last player to beat the 38-year-old in the Premier League during Arsenal's 2-1 win in November. [LNB]Ferguson said the consistency and excellence of his goalkeeper had made his team's job in overhauling Liverpool at the summit much easier.[LNB]"The composure he brings, the experience he brings, Edwin has been outstanding for us," said Ferguson. [LNB]"I couldn't believe it when I read that the last goal we conceded in the league was at Arsenal back in November. It's incredible. Edwin brings a calm and an assurance to the players in front of him. [LNB]"I don't know how many times we have had to change the back four over the last 12 games. [LNB]"But the record says a lot for the players that have come in. You really have to pay credit to Edwin."[LNB]

Source: Telegraph