United must find winning rhythm, says Queiroz
Alex Ferguson’s number two accepts the Reds are under the spotlight following an inconsistent start to the Premiership.
Already this season, the Red Devils have beaten Liverpool and Arsenal yet failed to follow up those impressive triumphs by embarking on the kind of sustained unbeaten run for which they are so famous.
Last weekend, Alex Ferguson’s side recorded their third impressive win of the campaign by disposing of Newcastle at St James’s Park. But Old Trafford’s vastly-experienced management team know that unless United can follow up their latest victory by defeating Charlton, and then take maximum points from four obviously winnable games after that, they will kiss goodbye to any chance of reclaiming the championship crown.
“We should approach every game now as though it was the last dance,” said Queiroz, who returned to Old Trafford last summer after an ill-fated year in charge of Real Madrid.
“It is crucial for us to build on the victory at Newcastle because everybody knows that we lost points in the first 13 games which we didn’t expect to lose.
“I believe the team is improving and we are ready for the challenge. All we need is a couple of victories and that would give us confidence and allow us to build some momentum,” he said.
The next month will see United travel to West Brom and Fulham, as well as entertaining Southampton and Crystal Palace before a more testing Christmas fixture list that includes encounters with Bolton, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.
It is only when they emerge from that period will United know whether they will be battling for the title as usual or making up the numbers as they did at the back end of last term.
Preparations for today’s game have not been smooth, as Louis Saha was ruled out for four weeks after the French striker picked up yet another knee injury on international duty.
“It is not good news,” said Queiroz. “He is going to be out for between three and four weeks.” There is better news about Ruud van Nistelrooy though after he reported for training showing few ill-effects for the hip injury that forced him to limp off during the first half of Holland’s World Cup win over Andorra.
It will not be an unchanged line-up though as Ferguson looks to keep his side fresh ahead of his 1000th game in charge, Tuesday’s Champions League encounter with Lyon. Wayne Rooney could be stood down, not for his display of petulance in Madrid, but to give Alan Smith a rare appearance, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s place is in doubt as Ryan Giggs prepares for a first-team return.
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