Fergie vows to carry on

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has dismissed speculation about his future and insists he is as “committed as ever” to achieving success at Old Trafford.

Fears have been growing that the Scot’s 19-year reign at United could be about to end following a patchy start to the season.

The Red Devils have reached the semi-finals of the Carling Cup and are second in the Premiership.

However, they trail table toppers Chelsea by nine points and disastrously failed to progress past the group stage in the Champions League.

Nevertheless, Fergie declared: “One thing you can be certain of is that, despite some people suggesting my time is up as manager of United, I’m determined to carry on and will stay until I am happy this club is back on track.

“It won’t be easy because the standard in the Premiership is higher than it has ever been, not just at the top with Chelsea but all the way down to the teams fighting to stay up.

“I am unbowed, though – as fit and committed as ever – and I look forward to taking Manchester United forward again in 2006,” quotes The Sun.

Ferguson, bolstered by the capture of Serbia & Montenegro defender Nemanja Vidic, is also confident more success is on the way for United.

He added: “I’m happy to say the players are working hard and are in the mood to turn things around.

“We are in a rebuilding phase and it takes time – but I think that we are getting there. We have more senior men back now so the young ones don’t have to carry the banner alone.

“I’m looking forward to 2006 more than ever because I feel we’re at the point of turning things round after a difficult year.”