Fergie promises changes
27 Dec 2006 - 07:13:40
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has vowed to continue rotating his squad over the Christmas period in a bid to keep his key players fresh for the challenge ahead.
Ferguson made a host of changes to his side that defeated Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford on Boxing Day as the Red Devils moved four points ahead of Chelsea at the top of the table.
Defensive lynchpins Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville were left out of the squad, while Louis Saha and Cristiano Ronaldo were on the bench.
The Portuguese winger came on in the second half and scored twice as United coasted to a 3-1 victory and Ferguson intends to continue rotating his squad over the busy festive period.
"It has been a good day for us. You get these days when sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it does not, but you have to do your own job and in the second half we did that," he said.
"Wigan are a good team and even when we were 3-0 up in the second half they had us under the cosh a bit. We had to defend well, but the most important thing was that we won.
"We had to make changes because we have to utilise the pool of players we have in the best way we can. We have to refresh the team and that gives those on the fringes the chance to be part of the plan.
"It is important that they make their contributions. If you don't bring them in then when you get a few injuries they have to come in cold.
"We have done that now against Everton and Wigan at home and we will do it on Saturday against Reading at Old Trafford and when we go to Newcastle on Monday."