Moody Blues can only get worse, taunts Ferguson
Ferguson has again laughed off Mourinho’s dig at United’s five-point lead at the top of the table. In the aftermath of the Blues’ midweek win over Newcastle, Mourinho claimed United could not play any better than they are doing at present while his own side still have much more to offer.
The Stamford Bridge supremo is desperate to draw Ferguson into some psychological warfare but if he was hoping his latest outburst would trigger the Scot into a knee-jerk response, he was sadly mistaken.
Earlier in the week, Ferguson had claimed United would only be in trouble if they “listened to Jose too much”. And he is clearly in no mood to hit back too hard just yet, resisting the temptation to do anything other than poke a bit of fun at his adversary.
“Yes, Chelsea could find a new level,” he said. “They could get worse. I actually think Chelsea’s level at the moment is better than it has been over the past two years. I didn’t see their game on Wednesday and to be honest, I am not going to pay much attention to what they are doing. I prefer to concentrate on my own team because we are doing everything right.
“Even if we were two points behind Chelsea, I would still be delighted with the way things are going. I know we are going in the right direction and we have an outstanding chance. That is the only thing that matters to me.”
Although — as Ferguson stresses — there is a long way to go yet before the honours are decided, United are in the happy position of knowing their fate is in their own hands.
Even defeat in their rematch with Chelsea in April would not be sufficient to overturn their present advantage on its own. However, Ferguson is keeping his eyes focused on the next challenge, which is difficult enough anyway as it takes United to Upton Park tomorrow to face a West Ham side boosted by the arrival of new boss Alan Curbishley.
As high-ranking officials within the League Managers’ Association, the pair know each other well. Curbishley even rang Ferguson before he accepted the challenge of replacing Alan Pardew and the United chief believes his side will face a stiffer challenge because of his appointment.
“There is no doubt Sunday will be a harder game for us now,” said Ferguson.
“The West Ham players will have an increased energy and desire because they will want to convince and impress their new manager. But maybe that will be a good thing for us because we will have no illusions about the task that awaits us.”
Having effectively lost two league titles — 1992 and 1995 — at West Ham, Ferguson is in no mood to suffer a damaging blow in the East End this season. Certainly, his head-to-head record with Curbishley is encouraging as he is yet to taste defeat in 14 previous meetings.
Full-back Patrice Evra is again United’s only injury absentee, so Ferguson could name an unchanged side from the one which recorded a Manchester derby triumph over City at Old Trafford last weekend.
One man certain to be involved is veteran keeper Edwin van der Sar, who has agreed a one-year contract extension after finally laying the goalkeeping ghost of Peter Schmeichel to rest.
“Edwin is the best goalkeeper we have had since Peter Schmeichel,” said Ferguson.
“There are many players who, having achieved what he has done, want to take it easy. But he has a desire to carry on. He can go on until he is 40, as some goalkeepers have done.”
lChina international Dong Fangzhou will get the chance to live his Manchester United dream after the Red Devils finally secured a work permit for the young striker.
Dong has been limited to sporadic appearances on a couple of pre-season tours as United attempted to get over the red tape which prevented him from playing in England.
However, after spending three years on loan at Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp, during which time he has won seven caps for his national side, Dong has now been cleared to link up with United on a permanent basis. The 21-year-old, signed from Dalian Shide for £3.5 million (€5.2 million) — a record for Chinese football — will head to England on January 1.
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