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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson compares Stoke's physical style to Wimbledon ahead of Premier League clash
The Scot says the challenge posed by the Potters is like that of Dave Bassett's Dons in the 90s, whilst Jonny Evans hopes for reaction to 'unacceptable' defeat at Anfield
30 Jan 2012 14:19:00
By Joe Doyle
Getty
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has compared the physical style of Stoke, with that of Wimbledon in the early 90s ahead of the sides' Premier League clash.
The Red Devils go into the game on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat in the FA Cup to bitter rivals Liverpool, and the experienced manager expects a combative approach from Stoke, which he admitted he enjoys.
"You know what Tony Pulis' teams are like, they're always the same with one hundred per cent commitment," he told the club's official website.
"They all get stuck in and you have to cope with that. I quite enjoy that.
"When we used to play Wimbledon, at the beginning when they first came into our division, nobody enjoyed playing against them.
"But then I started and my team started to enjoy it because it was a challenge, a physical challenge in the way they played and a physical challenge in terms of trying to take control of the possessions and play your football.
"Stoke are a different team altogether from Wimbledon, obviously, but they still have the same quality of never giving in; they keep going, so it's a good challenge for us."
Meanwhile, United defender Jonny Evans believes the team has bounced back well from bad results this season, and can do the same after an 'unacceptable' defeat against Liverpool.
"We've responded really well after disappoingint moments this season, like the 6-1 defeat against [Manchester] City and then the Blackburn and Newcastle defeats at the turn of the year," he told the club's official website.
"We went on a great run after the City game and then after the New Year games we beat both City and Arsenal away. That's what this team does.
"Every player at this club knows what's expected. When you're at Manchester United you know defeats like [the one against Liverpool on Saturday] aren't acceptable. We don't need anybody else to tell us that. We know it deep down."
Evans also believes the side have dealt well with Stoke's tactics in the past, and can do so again when they meet on Tuesday.
"We've played really well against Stoke in the last few games, both at home and away," he said.
"I think we've dealt particularly well with their long throw-ins. There isn't much of a run-up at Old Trafford on the side of the pitch, which will probably help us."
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The Red Devils go into the game on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat in the FA Cup to bitter rivals Liverpool, and the experienced manager expects a combative approach from Stoke, which he admitted he enjoys.
"You know what Tony Pulis' teams are like, they're always the same with one hundred per cent commitment," he told the club's official website.
"They all get stuck in and you have to cope with that. I quite enjoy that.
"When we used to play Wimbledon, at the beginning when they first came into our division, nobody enjoyed playing against them.
"But then I started and my team started to enjoy it because it was a challenge, a physical challenge in the way they played and a physical challenge in terms of trying to take control of the possessions and play your football.
"Stoke are a different team altogether from Wimbledon, obviously, but they still have the same quality of never giving in; they keep going, so it's a good challenge for us."
Meanwhile, United defender Jonny Evans believes the team has bounced back well from bad results this season, and can do the same after an 'unacceptable' defeat against Liverpool.
"We've responded really well after disappoingint moments this season, like the 6-1 defeat against [Manchester] City and then the Blackburn and Newcastle defeats at the turn of the year," he told the club's official website.
"We went on a great run after the City game and then after the New Year games we beat both City and Arsenal away. That's what this team does.
"Every player at this club knows what's expected. When you're at Manchester United you know defeats like [the one against Liverpool on Saturday] aren't acceptable. We don't need anybody else to tell us that. We know it deep down."
Evans also believes the side have dealt well with Stoke's tactics in the past, and can do so again when they meet on Tuesday.
"We've played really well against Stoke in the last few games, both at home and away," he said.
"I think we've dealt particularly well with their long throw-ins. There isn't much of a run-up at Old Trafford on the side of the pitch, which will probably help us."
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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 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
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