15/02/2008 13:52, Report by Ben Hibbs
City defeat made deep impact
The repercussions of last Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City could be measured by the unusual hush on United’s Carrington training pitches this week.
But Sir Alex Ferguson, who admits it is an uphill struggle for the Reds to retain the Premier League title this season, believes his players are capable of turning around a five-point deficit.
This week United face matches that will significantly shape the Reds’ opportunities of silverware in two other competitions. Sir Alex’s men face Lyon in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday, but first face Arsenal in the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Saturday.
And there is only one way to draw a line under “the worst performance you could expect of Manchester United”, which the United boss seemed genuinely mystified by.
“It’s been a quiet training field this week,” he told reporters on Friday. “There has been a deep impact on the team. I think they really felt it.
“The only thing I can offer is that the emotion of the occasion perhaps got to the players,” he said. “The minute’s silence was very moving, it certainly got to me. It was certainly one of the worst performances you can expect from Manchester United. But we have to put that behind us. It’s a test for us now, just as it was for the club back in 1958.
“They are genuine players, and they have a desire to do better. It’s an uphill fight to win the league, but it’s certainly not beyond them. Points will be dropped and won. We have to ensure we don’t drop many. That’s the challenge for us.”
The winner of Saturday’s FA Cup clash may claim some kind of psychological advantage in the title race, but there is a more
immediate benefit to victory – getting back to winning ways. Both sides may rest players, but that won’t temper the feistiness that is such a prominent ingredient in any United-Arsenal fixture.
“Fasten your seatbelts,” added Sir Alex with a wry smile. “It will be a typical United-Arsenal game, full of great commitment, with competitive football, but good play as well. Both teams play good football.
“Over the 20-odd years I’ve been here, Manchester United and Arsenal have been competing for trophies most of the time. For me personally, it’s been a challenge against George Graham and now with Arsene Wenger.
“These two clubs are run the right way and here for the long-run when you look at the structure of both clubs. You know that in five or six years time there won’t be many fundamental changes, given the ages and composition of both sets of players.”
Expect yet another thrilling chapter in the catalogue of fiercely-contested matches between the two clubs. Sir Alex will hope his 100th FA Cup tie for United ends with another victory. |