Fergie: United step closer to title

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson described his side’s 2-0 win at Middlesbrough as “a big step” towards retaining the Premier League title.

Goals from Ryan Giggs and Park Ji-sung secured victory at the Riverside.

Ferguson told Sky Sports: “It’s a big step forward – only four games left now, I keep saying you whittle the games away until there are none left.

“It was a very good performance....they all worked their socks off and once we got a hold of the ball we always looked a danger.

“Once we got in front, that was the key to it because they’re a young side, Middlesbrough.”

Giggs, named PFA player of the year on Sunday, admitted it had been a great week but insisted he is focussed on helping United retain the title after playing his 800th game for the club.

He added on Sky Sports: “We just wanted to get this one out of the way and we’ve done that and now we just want to concentrate on the remaining games.”