Ruud convinced United’s future looks bright
The gap has grown so wide even Alex Ferguson has virtually conceded defeat in the title race, admitting it would need Chelsea to suffer ‘a Devon Loch moment’ to let any of their top rivals back into the chase.
But Ferguson insists the Red Devils are progressing, a view shared in the dressing room, especially by van Nistelrooy.
And, while Tuesday’s goalless draw at Highbury might have signalled the end of United’s championship challenge, the prolific striker is now convinced the club have plenty to look forward to.
“We have to take a more long-term view,” said van Nistelrooy.
“You can look at the table and the difference in points but for us it is more important to look at the quality of the team and where we are moving and I believe we are on the right track. Everyone played well at Highbury and what we achieved is very encouraging for the second half of the season and the future beyond that.”
The arrival of £7m defender Nemanja Vidic should help stiffen United’s defence, although the Serbian is unlikely to be involved in the squad for Sunday’s FA Cup tie at non-league Burton Albion.
Ferguson is also thought to be closing in on Monaco left-back Patrick Evra, who was dropped for Wednesday’s league encounter with Auxerre.
With Louis Saha, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Giuseppe Rossi all expected to be named in Ferguson’s squad, van Nistelrooy will probably sit out Sunday’s trip to Staffordshire too, although he is set to return for next week’s Carling Cup semi-final at Blackburn.
Ironically, United will probably look back on a miserable September, when they suffered a home defeat to Blackburn and an Old Trafford draw with their next Premiership opponents Manchester City, as the month when they conceded the initiative to Chelsea rather than the loss of two more precious points on their final visit to Highbury.
“We didn’t lose the big title points at Arsenal,” said van Nistelrooy.
“The really big points we lost were in games like Blackburn at home. All we can do now is try to get the best out of the team and at some point make sure we reach the level Chelsea are at.”
While van Nistelrooy may get the chance to put his feet up this weekend, the games cannot come quickly enough for Darren Fletcher. The young Scot was slated by the critics as United struggled for form early in the campaign but has started each of the Red Devils last seven games.
As most of the players on either side were struggling through a fourth outing in nine days on Tuesday, Fletcher looked fresh, picking up man of the match honours. A member of Ferguson’s FA Cup starting line-ups in the past two seasons, Fletcher wants to be involved again this weekend even though Alan Smith and Paul Scholes should both be available after recent fitness worries.
“I am loving it in central midfield,” said Fletcher, who scored the winner against Chelsea in November.
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