Soccer: Ferguson not ready to throw in the towel

A defiant Sir Alex Ferguson claims Manchester United have not given up in the Premier League title race and that they will not relinquish their crown without a fight.

Ferguson called on his players to rediscover their battling qualities as they try to halt their slide down the table.

The United manager is determined to stop the rot and he declared he does not intend to let a lifetime’s work go to waste.

Writing in his programme notes for tonight’s game against Derby at Old Trafford, Ferguson said: ‘‘The priority for Manchester United right now is to recapture the fighting spirit that has underpinned everything we have achieved in the last 10 years.

‘‘We must rediscover the never-say-die attitude that brought us our success and made the reputation of this club and of the players themselves.

‘‘I have no intention of allowing a lifetime’s work to go to waste.

‘‘The media have been pressing me for a week or two now to acknowledge that Manchester United are out of the championship race and so let’s put that one to bed.

‘‘We’re in a precarious position in terms of the league title and indeed it would take a footballing miracle for us to do it.

‘‘But let me say loud and clear that that does not mean Manchester United have given up.

‘‘I’m hurt and though the players have looked at a loss at times lately I’m sure they are also wounded.

‘‘What is important is that they must make it clear out on the pitch just how hurt they are and rediscover our fighting qualities.

‘‘There were some failures out there against West Ham on Saturday and that’s certainly something I shall root out. We’ll get there, we won’t quit.

‘‘Even though we may reluctantly lose our championship crown, it won’t be without a fight.’’

Ferguson claims now is the time for every one of his players to stand up and be counted.

‘‘You like to think that the team out on the pitch is a mirror of yourself,’’ he said.

‘‘I have always been blessed with players who are prepared to stand up and be counted, going back to people like Willie Miller at Aberdeen right through to the big men of Manchester United over the years like Bryan Robson, Peter Schmeichel, Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce.

‘‘Today I look at Roy Keane and see myself, and my main search now as I strive to root out the reasons for our drop in form is to find that kind of determination in every single red shirt.’’

Ferguson insists United’s first priority is to get back into the top four and qualify for the Champions League.

‘‘For one thing, it’s essential we get back up there to make sure we qualify for next season’s Champions League,’’ he said.

‘‘Disappointing though our league position is, there is no excuse for slackening.

‘‘We must get our form picked up. You are not seeing the real Manchester United at the moment.’’