Ferguson determined to carry on at United

ALEX FERGUSON celebrates his 64th birthday today insisting he relishes the job of managing Manchester United as much as ever.

Eleven points adrift of Chelsea in the Premiership title race and out of Europe before Christmas for the first time in a decade, there are many who believe Ferguson’s time at Old Trafford is drawing to an end.

However, rather than easing off as he approaches official retirement age, the Scot remains as committed and feisty as ever, with thoughts of stepping down a long way off.

Rising at his home at 5am, he was at United’s plush Carrington training complex within 90 minutes, fully intending to complete a session in the gym before spotting the mountain of paperwork on his desk.

“You have to enjoy your job and I feel good,” he said.

“Despite people suggesting my time is up as manager of Manchester United I am determined to carry on.”

Ferguson’s chief task for 2006 is to continue the rebuilding work he instigated over the past couple of years, nurturing a youthful squad and aiding the development of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

But the Scot still has time to put his mind to a few side issues, with the postponement of three top-flight games on Wednesday currently vexing him. It is a subject close to his heart as United face one of the inactive clubs - Bolton - at Old Trafford today.

The Trotters called off their clash with Middlesbrough five hours before kick-off after discovering the undersoil heating at the Reebok Stadium had failed.

Ferguson remains unconvinced by Sam Allardyce’s protestations that he wanted the game played, and neither is the Red Devils chief too impressed at the postponement of Newcastle’s clash with Charlton less than an hour before the start.

While the St James’ Park pitch was deemed playable, safety officers refused to allow the game to go ahead because the conditions outside the stadium were too treacherous.

“It was supposed to be dangerous for people walking to the stadium yet there were 100,000 people at the Metro Centre in Gateshead and they didn’t close the shops.

“As for the Bolton situation, I think the Premier League should be more vigilant in ensuring undersoil heating systems are maintained.

“We asked to bring our Boxing Day game with West Brom forward to December 24 but were refused because the Premier League said it would give us an unfair advantage. Yet you can say your undersoil heating doesn’t work. Surely there was one electrician in Bolton who could have fixed the problem.”

Ferguson knows the extra rest could hand Bolton a decisive advantage, particularly because of the high-tempo pressing game Allardyce likes to use.

United’s chances are not helped by a virus which looks certain to rule out Louis Saha, and possibly Alan Smith, although at least defenders Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre are available.

Both could play in a much-changed United rearguard, whose championship aspirations suffered a shattering blow against an ailing Birmingham outfit on Wednesday.

Twenty minutes from time at St Andrews, United looked to be closing the gap on Chelsea. Within seconds, Walter Pandiani cancelled out the Red Devils lead before Joe Cole ensured the champions’ winning march continued at the expense of Manchester City.

“When we heard Chelsea had scored late on it just compounded our disappointment,” said Ferguson.

“But these things happen when teams are on a high spell. We scored a lot of late goals the year we won the treble. It happens that way and the situation is no different now.

“I don’t think it is impossible to catch them because we are playing well and did so the other night.

“It is not a case of forgetting about Chelsea more a need to concentrate on ourselves.

“If they do slip up, we want to be there. The form of our team is good. The confidence is back and I am enjoying watching them.”