Dunne: Dangerous United still hot in hunt for title

AS an esteemed former Manchester City player, it would have been difficult for Richard Dunne to admit but he insists Alex Ferguson and Manchester United can’t be written off in the title race.

Mon, 05 Dec, 2011 - 00:00

John Percy

Dunne is convinced that Ferguson’s bid for a 20th championship is back on track after United’s chastening experience at the hands of their bitter city rivals.

United’s win keeps them five points behind Roberto Mancini’s league leaders and the Ireland international is adamant that Ferguson’s squad always turn up the heat when the winter arrives.

He said: “Winning 1-0? That’s the way they’ve done it and they’ve done it before. People say they are not playing well and they are always there or thereabouts in the league and after Christmas they kick on.

“Playing against them on Saturday, the movement of [Wayne] Rooney and players coming in off the wing, they are top players and hard to play against.

“They grind results out and are a tough team to play against. Is the title not all over? I don’t think so.

“Everyone knows how good they become. People say they are not playing great but they were certainly good against us and are second in the league and not far behind.”

United required Anders Lindegaard — who was selected in favour of David De Gea again — to preserve the three points.

Lindegaard and an impressively stubborn United defence clinched their fourth clean sheet in five Premier League games since their shock 6-1 defeat to Manchester City.

And the Denmark international, 27, believes that much needed defensive solidity bodes well in their bid to stay on the coat tails of Mancini.

He said: “When you look back over history, all the great teams have been known for having a fantastic defence and that is very important.

“The quality we have been showing in defence since the City game has been scary. We got over that defeat well. 1-0 win over Everton was a crucial win for the season. We’re hopefully starting a wave of good play. The only thing is we need to score another goal or two more.”