Ferguson hails his best United squad

ALEX FERGUSON began his 22nd year in charge of Manchester United in much the same way he has spent so many of the previous seasons, masterminding a convincing 2-0 victory at Old Trafford that returned his team to the top of the Premier League last night.

Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo ensured that Wayne Rooney’s absence was a non-factor against Blackburn and, more importantly, showed that the young squad he is assembling is well capable of adding to Ferguson’s trophy haul.

Coming, as it did, against his former player Mark Hughes who is widely thought to be a genuine contender to eventually replace Ferguson, the victory must have been especially rewarding.

“Every time we play against an opponent managed by one of my old players, this crops all the time,” said Ferguson of the speculation. “It’s unfair on whoever is being discussed at the time.

“I believe this is the strongest squad I have ever had, so much so that I think I would be pushed to name my best overall team.

“Also, it’s trying to shove me out the door quicker than I want to go. I’m fit and healthy and as long as that continues, I want to go on.

“This is a good young team coming together, they show great courage in their play and want to play right.

“They want to win something and I think they’ve got a good chance of doing that. They’re playing well.”

A 4-0 midweek European win over Dynamo Kiev, followed by the Blackburn success, was the perfect way for United to respond following the disappointment of allowing Arsenal a late equaliser at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.

Even more significantly, that Arsenal draw is now the only time in the last nine Premier League games that United have not collected all three points.

“I’m happy but we are just a bit disappointed about that last minute goal against Arsenal last week,” said Ferguson. “That’s disappointing for us.

“But you have to come back from those disappointments and we did that against Kiev and today.”

Ferguson handed a rare start to Louis Saha, in Rooney’s absence, although the Frenchman was ineffective and eclipsed by the two goals that Ronaldo claimed. And, although the United manager, conceded that playing Ronaldo as a traditional striker is an option, he clearly expects Saha to continue as Rooney’s stand-in.

“Ronaldo is a possibility there,” said Ferguson. “But Saha coming back in his first game did very well for us today. I took him off as a precaution in this situation and to have him ready for two weeks from now.”

As for Rooney himself, Ferguson confirmed that the England star will be absent for the next month.

“Wayne was very unlucky,” added Ferguson. “It was just a freak accident, but four weeks is about right. He’ll be about that.”