Ferguson impressed by United’s hunger and desire

ALEX FERGUSON has called for Manchester United to take the same hunger and desire which helped them overcome Charlton at The Valley into tomorrow night’s crunch Champions League clash with Villarreal.

The Red Devils emerged from a turbulent week to secure a well-deserved 3-1 victory in south-east London.

The importance of the display, which came on the back of ending Chelsea’s unbeaten run at Old Trafford before the international break, was not lost on Ferguson.

“This is a terrific result for us, no question about that,” said the United manager. “We have been working really hard in training. There was a great appetite for the game and we deserved our victory.

“After the great performance against Chelsea, we could not afford anything other than a win. Now we move on to Tuesday, which is our most important game of the past few years.

“Our ambitions to do well in Europe are always there and we have to win this game to have any chance of qualifying for the next stage.”

Ferguson added: “Let’s hope it starts us on a good run. If we maintain that same hunger and desire, we will be hard to beat.”

While four points from their last two Group D games would be enough to qualify irrespective of which order they come in, the fall-out of failing to make the latter stages of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in 11 years are clear enough.

United could be boosted for the game at Old Trafford by the return of England full-back Gary Neville, who has been missing since the end of August with a groin problem and played for the reserves last week but did not feature in the 16 at The Valley.

For Charlton manager Alan Curbishley, there were few positives to take from another display which lacked cohesion for long parts and again saw his side concede a goal soon after they had scored.

He maintained all the added interest following Roy Keane’s departure from Old Trafford by “mutual consent” on Friday should not have shifted focus for his side.

The Charlton boss said: “We are all under our own relative pressure. They had a massively bad week, and now they have turned it around. Things move on, and both United and Keane have now got to move on.

“With all the press surrounding the game, it took the gloss off of us playing one of the big sides again, and I would have loved to have taken something out of the game, because we need to do that for our fans. We have to get some results here.”

Charlton, meanwhile, have confirmed a steward was injured during Van Nistelrooy’s celebration following his first goal, was treated by the club doctor at the stadium, believed to be for pain in his ribs, but did not need to go to hospital.

The Football Association, though, may yet decide to investigate the incident further.

An advertising hoarding behind the goal had been knocked over by players as they went to celebrate with their captain, and the Dutch striker was mobbed as several United fans jumped onto the perimeter track, with some encroaching onto the pitch as a result.

Opta Fact: The Addicks have failed to beat Manchester United in all 13 of their Premiership meetings.

Opta Fact: Ruud van Nistelrooy scored his first ever goal from outside the penalty box for Manchester United.