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Sir Alex Ferguson: Wayne Rooney could top Cristiano Ronaldo's scoring feats for Manchester United
'Fergie' backs Red Devil to reach 42 goal mark...
14 Mar 2010 16:37:00
By Owen Watson
Manchester United overcame Fulham at Old Trafford this afternoon, winning 3-0 in front of their home support with manager Sir Alex Ferguson complimenting the Cottagers for their first-half performance.
“Fulham, with the possession, made us work hard and made us chase about a bit. It was hard to get the ball off them,” he told Sky Sports.
“They're very clever players, experienced, with good composure on the ball and they made it difficult for us.
“We had to try and increase the pace a bit, get to them quicker, just try and hurry them up a bit and make the game a bit quicker but I think the most important thing was that we got a start to the second half. You get a start like that it puts the other team on the back foot and we were more confident after that.”
The Manchester United manager revealed he nearly missed the first goal, scored almost immediately after the restart by Wayne Rooney.
“I'd just got into my seat,” explained Ferguson.
“It was a good time, only 30 seconds into the second half, so it was a terrific opening for us."
Sir Alex also went on to analyse a chance for Bobby Zamora when the score was only 1-0.
“It was a pass from the centre-back, a 45 yard pass, straight through the middle. It was a fantastic tackle by [Nemanja] Vidic, it was an unbelievable tackle. I think maybe [Bobby] Zamora has slowed down a bit, he's just hesitated that fraction that allowed Vidic to get back. It was a great tackle."
The United boss also explained that with the title race being so tight, goal difference could become a factor.
“You have to think about goal difference, absolutely,” he added.
“We're four goals ahead of Chelsea, I wish it was 14 to be honest with you! But it is something, at least it's in our advantage.”
Wayne Rooney added two more goals to his haul this afternoon and his manager said it wasn't “beyond him” to match Cristiano Ronaldo's record-breaking tally.
“Well obviously I said a while ago it's impossible for a player to get 42 [goals in a season] in the present day but he's on 32, what can I say?” he said.
“It's a challenge, obviously, for him. He is capable of scoring goals in the next eight league games and possibly five European games so he's got 13 games possibly which you never know.
“I won't put it beyond him, I was just happy he got onto the 30 mark to be honest with you.
“We're enjoying his form at the moment, we're enjoying his goalscoring, it's definitely making a difference to our team.”
The United manager also revealed he thought injuries would play a massive part in deciding who will claim the Premier League title at the end of the season.
“What I think has a bearing, one; staying clear of injuries. We're all getting them, we've got ours at the moment, Chelsea have got theirs and Arsenal have got theirs,” explained the Scot.
“You want to have, from now until the end of the season, a steady and consistent back four. That would make a massive difference to our game.
“At the moment it's looking like it, it's very tight and we've only got eight games left. Chelsea have obviously got nine games left, we're all in Europe, Chelsea are obviously in the FA Cup. So you never know.”
Asked if it was just down to Manchester United to win their remaining games, Ferguson said he thought things wouldn't transpire like that, concluding: “Well that's one way of looking at it, the simple way, but I don't think it's as simple as that!”
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“Fulham, with the possession, made us work hard and made us chase about a bit. It was hard to get the ball off them,” he told Sky Sports.
“They're very clever players, experienced, with good composure on the ball and they made it difficult for us.
“We had to try and increase the pace a bit, get to them quicker, just try and hurry them up a bit and make the game a bit quicker but I think the most important thing was that we got a start to the second half. You get a start like that it puts the other team on the back foot and we were more confident after that.”
The Manchester United manager revealed he nearly missed the first goal, scored almost immediately after the restart by Wayne Rooney.
“I'd just got into my seat,” explained Ferguson.
“It was a good time, only 30 seconds into the second half, so it was a terrific opening for us."
Sir Alex also went on to analyse a chance for Bobby Zamora when the score was only 1-0.
“It was a pass from the centre-back, a 45 yard pass, straight through the middle. It was a fantastic tackle by [Nemanja] Vidic, it was an unbelievable tackle. I think maybe [Bobby] Zamora has slowed down a bit, he's just hesitated that fraction that allowed Vidic to get back. It was a great tackle."
The United boss also explained that with the title race being so tight, goal difference could become a factor.
“You have to think about goal difference, absolutely,” he added.
“We're four goals ahead of Chelsea, I wish it was 14 to be honest with you! But it is something, at least it's in our advantage.”
Wayne Rooney added two more goals to his haul this afternoon and his manager said it wasn't “beyond him” to match Cristiano Ronaldo's record-breaking tally.
“Well obviously I said a while ago it's impossible for a player to get 42 [goals in a season] in the present day but he's on 32, what can I say?” he said.
“It's a challenge, obviously, for him. He is capable of scoring goals in the next eight league games and possibly five European games so he's got 13 games possibly which you never know.
“I won't put it beyond him, I was just happy he got onto the 30 mark to be honest with you.
“We're enjoying his form at the moment, we're enjoying his goalscoring, it's definitely making a difference to our team.”
The United manager also revealed he thought injuries would play a massive part in deciding who will claim the Premier League title at the end of the season.
“What I think has a bearing, one; staying clear of injuries. We're all getting them, we've got ours at the moment, Chelsea have got theirs and Arsenal have got theirs,” explained the Scot.
“You want to have, from now until the end of the season, a steady and consistent back four. That would make a massive difference to our game.
“At the moment it's looking like it, it's very tight and we've only got eight games left. Chelsea have obviously got nine games left, we're all in Europe, Chelsea are obviously in the FA Cup. So you never know.”
Asked if it was just down to Manchester United to win their remaining games, Ferguson said he thought things wouldn't transpire like that, concluding: “Well that's one way of looking at it, the simple way, but I don't think it's as simple as that!”
Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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