Premiership: We've still a long way to go - Fergie

Alex Ferguson refused to be carried away by Manchester United’s 5-0 demolition of Derby and insisted their revival still had some way to go.

The result helped United make some inroads on Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premiership and the champions have cut their advantage to nine points.

More importantly the win ended United’s run of three successive defeats in the Premiership.

Ferguson urged caution and he said: ‘‘It’s a very welcome result for us and a good performance.

‘‘There was a lot of speed about our play and a great commitment from the players.

‘‘I was very pleased about that and the foundation of any successful side is hunger.

‘‘It’s only a start and we have a long way to go, but at least winning 5-0 at home is a terrific result.

‘‘It’s a boost, but we said that last Wednesday so we’ll just get on with it now and we’ll see what happens.’’

Writing in his programme notes, Ferguson struck a more belligerent note and he said: ‘‘I have no intention of allowing a lifetime’s work to go to waste.’’

The United manager vowed his champions would not give up their Premiership crown without a fight.

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

‘‘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.’’

Before the match United chief executive Peter Kenyon had dismissed any talk of a crisis at Old Trafford.

He said: ‘‘I think crisis is too strong a word.

‘‘I share the disappointment about the results as a chief executive and a fan.

‘‘But good players do not become bad players and the greatest manager the club has ever had doesn’t become a bad manager because of six results.

‘‘What we are not going to do in the short or medium term is panic.’’

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored twice for United and the Reds’ other goals came from Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes.

Derby boss Colin Todd refused to write United off and he said: ‘‘I’ve always said Manchester United are capable of beating any side.

‘‘People say Manchester United are not doing well, but they’ve got the same players.

‘‘Alex has taken criticism for rotating his squad, but he has always rotated his squad. We thought there might be a backlash and we got it tonight.’’

Todd was disappointed with his side’s performance and he said: ‘‘We were well beaten and we got what we deserved.’’