Fergie reveals double vision
Alex Ferguson has set his sights on the second half of a glorious double after Manchester United retained their Barclays Premier League title.
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and substitute Ryan Giggs secured a 2-0 victory against Wigan at the JJB Stadium.
United finished two points ahead of Chelsea, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Bolton.
Now Englandâs top two will go head to head in the Champions League final in Moscow on May 21.
Ferguson cannot wait for that date in Russia.
âIt would have been hard for us going to Moscow if we had lost out in the league,â said the United manager.
âWhile we know it will not be easy, we are relaxed now. There is a good feel about the team.
âIt is an exciting team and I enjoy watching them. They donât play with fear and that refreshes you.â
Ronaldo took his tally for the season to an astonishing 41 goals after making the breakthrough in the 33rd minute.
He sent goalkeeper Chris Kirkland the wrong way from the penalty spot after Emerson Boyce was pulled up for a challenge on Wayne Rooney.
Then Giggs marked a record-equalling 758th appearance for the club by scoring a crucial second 10 minutes from time with a cool finish.
Ferguson praised both players for their impact, in the short- and long-term at the club.
He said: âRonaldo has been out of this world. To get 41 goals as a winger is sensational. It is also fantastic for Ryan to get the goal that matters. Maybe it is fate.
âHe deserves it. I have known him for 20 years and he has been a credit to the game. For him to equal the record, then to get the goal that wins the title, is just fantastic.â
Giggs insisted winning trophies is what continues to motivates him.
He told Sky Sports News: âIt was a great goal to settle us down â it gave us a two-goal cushion.
âI said before the game that I am not bothered about records. This is what it is about, championships and trophies. I hope we can win another one in 10 days time.â
Wigan manager Steve Bruce could not disguise his affection for United and Giggs in particular.
âRyan scored on his debut and has equalled the appearance record against us,â said the Old Trafford favourite.
âHe is a great, great player. He epitomises what Manchester United are all about. He is an absolutely fantastic player. The big strength of United is their strength in depth. You look at the bench.
âIt is a squad that is capable of playing 65 games. That is the biggest thing going for them. Of course they have outstanding players but it is their strength that sets them apart.â
However, Bruce believes Paul Scholes was lucky not to be sent off yesterday.
Bruce took issue with referee Steve Bennett after he refused to dish out a second yellow card to the United midfielder for successive challenges on Wilson Palacios.
He was also angered that Rio Ferdinand was not punished for what he felt was a clear handball in the area and that a penalty was awarded to United.
Bruce said: âPaul Scholes will go down as one of Unitedâs greats. Everything about him is top drawer.
âHe knows he got away with it. Had it been any other Saturday, it was another yellow card and he should have been off.
âI have to say three decisions in the first half were absolutely unbelievable.
âYou would have thought Rio had gloves on and to say the penalty we conceded was harsh is an understatement.â





