Fergie keeps grinding away

FUNCTIONAL, workmanlike and efficient are not words normally associated with teams built by Alex Ferguson but such virtues were clearly a necessity after his chastening experience at the hands of Roberto Mancini.

On the day Manchester City, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal lit up the Premier League with swagger and, more importantly, goals, United were securing the type of stress-free, routine, gritty away victory that have become a hallmark under their manager. Since that stunning 6-1 setback against their bitter rivals in October, United have recorded four clean sheets from five league games to erase the memories of earlier in the campaign when their defence frequently displayed uncharacteristic flaws.

This triumph, courtesy of the excellent Phil Jones’ first senior goal, enabled them to stay on the coat tails of Mancini and while they may be lacking the effervescence of previous seasons, there is a formidable look about United at the moment. And with history proving United always turn up the heat when the winter kicks in, it would be churlish to dismiss Ferguson from a title race that City were threatening to run away with.