Ferguson: our focus is not on Liverpool

ALEX FERGUSON insists the Easter Sunday clash against Liverpool will not deflect Manchester United from their immediate task of seeing off Bolton’s challenge tonight.

The weekend’s fixtures herald the start of those decisive meetings that could shape the destiny of this season’s Premier League trophy, for not only do United faced Liverpool, but Arsenal play Chelsea.

But United’s struggle to finish off Derby last Saturday has provided a timely warning ahead of Bolton’s visit that nothing can be assumed, even when top-of-the-table are playing third-from-bottom at home.

Ferguson said: “There are big games coming up and Liverpool is one of them, especially when you consider Chelsea are playing Arsenal on the same day.

“But when you see what happened at Derby on Saturday, not taking our chances, you realise you can’t take anything for granted. Sure, there are big weekends ahead, but the other matches are just as important.”

Bolton are also one of the few teams to have beaten United this season, courtesy of a Nicolas Anelka goal at the Reebok in November.

Ferguson said that Wanderers will miss Anelka’s goals but the fact that they have been dragged back into the relegation battle means that United will face an even stiffer test tonight.

“They are fighting for survival and any team fighting for survival have to fight. That’s the name of the game,” said the United manager.

“I thought they had got themselves clear of trouble but in this league if you lose a couple of games you are back in the mix.

“Everyone expects Derby to go down, Fulham are the next one and then it is a scramble. You’ve got a lot of teams down there.”

Ben Foster is on course to keep his place in the Manchester United goal as Edwin van der Sar’s groin problem is likely to keep him out again.

Although Tomasz Kuszczak is available after serving a one-match ban, Foster’s performance against Derby should see Ferguson retain him.

Meanwhile Bolton boss Gary Megson insists he has not yet given up hope of persuading goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to agree a new contract.

Jaaskelainen is out of contract this summer and appears to have played his last game for the club after being ruled out for the remainder of the season with a back injury.

The Finn has turned down a new contract offer but Megson said: “Jussi is finished for the season. But hopefully his Bolton career is not finished.”