Fergie calls for consistency

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson is demanding his side “lay down a marker” for next season in the remaining eight matches of the current campaign.

United face West Ham at Old Trafford tonight looking to stretch their advantage over Liverpool in the battle for second to five points and cut Chelsea’s lead at the top to nine.

With just over a month of the campaign remaining, barring an unexpected Chelsea collapse, talk of a belated title challenge from the Red Devils is pointless.

But Ferguson is eager for his team to extend a five-match winning sequence in the league and prove they will not be easily dismissed next term.

“We have to lay down a marker for next season,” he said.

“There are some tough matches coming up for us but the way we are playing it doesn’t really matter who our opponents are.

“There is a lot of confidence in our team at the moment and there has been a lot of improvement from our younger players, which is encouraging.

“If we are going to win championships, we need consistency. The one thing you cannot give young players is experience but the signs are very good.”

As Ferguson prepares to welcome back one of his old strikers in Teddy Sheringham, it is the fate of one of his present ones which is attracting most attention.

After five games on the bench, Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy is desperately hoping for a chance to shine against the Hammers.

Ferguson raised those hopes still further in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s win over Birmingham, by stating his intention to make “one or two changes”.

By subsequently reporting a “couple” of injuries from the Birmingham victory, Ferguson has confirmed changes are likely, but the inclusion of young trio Markus Neumayr, Darron Gibson and Ritchie Jones in the Scot’s squad suggests midfield is the area he is looking at.

Kieran Richardson has already been ruled out with slight damage to an ankle joint but, with an arduous trip to Bolton looming on Saturday, Ryan Giggs may be rested if he is not fully fit.

Park Ji-sung will replace Richardson, offering the South Korean another chance to impress in what has been an eye-catching debut campaign with United since his move from PSV Eindhoven.

“You would have to say Ji has been terrific,” said Ferguson.

“He adds something different to the way we play. His movement and commitment to moving into space has been excellent and he will get better.

“All the little lad needs now is to score a couple of goals in a row or two in one game.”