Ryan Giggs: says winning is all that matters now.
After crushing AS Roma and Watford in the past week, the Red Devils turned in a relatively tame performance against Sheffield United, scoring just twice and curtailing some of the more flamboyant aspects of their play in recent weeks.
The end product was still the same. Another win which inches them slightly closer to the title.
At the very worst, four wins from their last five games, starting against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Saturday, will be enough to end a four-year championship drought.
And, with the pressure at its most intense, Giggs feels the United faithful may have to get used to more of the same over the coming weeks.
“It is not about performances now, it is about winning games,” said the Welshman, who has featured in all eight previous Premier League triumphs under Alex Ferguson.
“We can’t score four and five every time. I would take 1-0 against Middlesbrough right now.
“The key for us is to keep clean sheets, because we will always create a few chances. So, as long as the lads at the back do their job, I am sure we will be okay.”
The good news for Sir Alex Ferguson is that, a minor blip at Portsmouth aside, his squad are answering all the key questions.
Once Patrice Evra departed 20 minutes into Tuesday night’s encounter, United were left without seven experienced defenders, including Edwin van der Sar. Yet they still managed to repel the lively Blades.
So, while the return of Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea for Saturday’s game is an obvious advantage, especially with the first leg of the Champions League semi-final with AC Milan looming on Tuesday, Ferguson has reason to be confident in the players who have to step in if required.
Alan Smith’s form up front has also been a major bonus.
Although he appeared to tire in the second half, his industry since being handed a surprise start in the 7-1 thrashing of Roma has created more space for Wayne Rooney in particular.
Tuesday represented the first time Smith has begun a Premiership game since his injury over 14 months ago.
And given the 26-year-old, after two aborted comeback attempts, is now fully recovered from the horrific injuries he suffered at Liverpool last term, he seems certain to be an integral part of United’s treble drive.
“Alan has had a torrid time,” observed Ferguson.
“But not only did he work like a beast to recover from the extensive damage, he persevered when it became apparent that despite being declared fit, he still had some way to go to rediscover his previous sharpness and form.
“It must have been disheartening to find that everything was taking time to fall into place. But he has stuck at it and I am so pleased for him.”
Smith’s form, together with the likelihood Ferguson will attempt to bolster his striking options in the summer, is bound to raise question marks over the future of Louis Saha.
Lauded for his enormous impact at the start of the season, Saha has started just three games since New Year’s Day and is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
After repeatedly being forced to revise an anticipated return date for the former Fulham man, Ferguson appears to be growing exasperated by his failure to appear.
“Louis is still bothered by his hamstring,” admitted the Scot. “I don’t see any quick return there.”
Although he has no major winners’ medals to show off, Smith was been involved in a Champions League semi-final during his time at Leeds, under David O’Leary.
Giggs has played in three. And he believes his experience, plus that of Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, will prove vital in the weeks ahead.
“The experience of the manager and the players who have done it before is always a help, especially to the players who have already won a league,” he said.
“We are down to the business end of the season now and facing a lot of high pressure games in a very short space of time.
“Getting up for all these matches is a skill itself. Which is more important, Middlesbrough or Milan? One is just as important as the other, so we have to remain focused until the end of the season.”
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