Fergie staying cool as title race hots up
Ferguson’s recent angry complaint about the fixture list may have delivered the unexpected benefit of striking an extraordinary psychological blow against Rafael Benitez but it rang hollow when viewed in the context of United’s run-in that is peppered with home fixtures against their leading rivals.
Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford tomorrow marks the first of those, and while Liverpool’s presence at the head of the table ensures the meeting doesn’t carry the edge of a title decider as it has in recent years, the outcome will inevitably have a huge influence on prospects of the two sides as they attempt to rein in Benitez’s side.
Ferguson has every reason to be confident, his side facing 11 remaining home games, including their two outstanding games in hand against Wigan and Fulham, whilst having dropped just two points at Old Trafford so far this season, although Chelsea’s unbeaten away record suggests it is Benitez who may emerge the main winner by the time the final whistle is blown.
“Our home form has got to be 100% to give us an outstanding chance of winning the league,” said Ferguson. “We’ve been away to all the top sides and now we’ve got them at home in the second half of the season and it will play a part in deciding whether we have a chance of winning this league.
“That part is over and we’ve done well to be in the position we are with two games in hand to Liverpool. Those two are at home also so it gives us a chance to narrow that but, before we get to that stage, it’s an important game on Sunday against Chelsea.”
Ferguson’s hand has been strengthened by the return of Rio Ferdinand after a back problem and Patrice Evra following the four-game suspension imposed by the FA last month following an investigation into the full-back’s behaviour during the warm down following the meeting between the two club’s at Stamford Bridge last April. In years gone by that would have added an incendiary edge to this meeting but Ferguson has an undeniable confidence that while his rivals frequently appear beset by crisis or instability, right now, the Carlos Tevez issue notwithstanding, he alone is able to stay fully focused on his team’s affairs.
The current plight of Luiz Felipe Scolari will do nothing to dent that confidence. Just like Avram Grant before him, Scolari will attempt to outwit Ferguson tomorrow against a backdrop of growing uncertainty surrounding his future and the United manager believes that is key to Chelsea’s failure to build on back-to-back title successes under Jose Mourinho.
“The main difference between Chelsea and ourselves is that they’ve changed their management structure three times in recent seasons, so there’s a difference in that respect,” he added. “The longevity I have here gives me the ability to look at the bigger picture all the time. I can look and plan for maybe three or four years ahead, whereas a manager coming into another club doesn’t have that same time. Chelsea’s dominance only lasted two years, and we did well to win it the third year to stop that run.”
Rio Ferdinand returns from a back injury, while Ferguson refused to discuss Cristiano Ronaldo’s high-speed smash, other than to confirm he will play.
Ferguson feels the return of Rio Ferdinand could make a key difference.
“You always benefit from having your best players available and Rio is one of the best centre-backs in the world,” said Ferguson.
“His pace, balance and use of the ball have always been great features of his game. We have been very lucky to have someone like Jonny Evans to replace him because his maturity and reading of the game has been a Godsend to us. But Rio has the stature and presence in big games.”
He is also boosted by the return of Evra. “Patrice will be the freshest man on the pitch,” reflected Ferguson.
“He has been training well and is looking forward to it.”
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