England

Fergie To Show No Tolerance For Slackers

Sir Alex Ferguson has sent a dire warning to his players, insisting anyone displaying the first signs of complacency will be swiftly shown the door at Old Trafford...

Aug 2, 2008 2:48:20 AM

Sir Alex Ferguson - Manchester United (PA)

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Sir Alex Ferguson - Manchester United (PA)

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The Manchester United squad have every right to feel confident as they prepare to push for their third consecutive Premier League title and defend their Champions League crown.

The Red Devils will only be furthered buoyed should they succeed in their quest, as it would put the club level with Liverpool's record tally of 18 championships and within just one of the Merseyside outfit's five European Cups.

But Sir Alex will not hesitate to bring his stars down peg should they become lax and cocky, warning that anyone slacking off will suffer the same fate that David Beckham, Paul Ince and Ruud van Nistelrooy have in the past.

“If success has gone to anyone’s head and they show signs they are ready to rest on their laurels, they will soon be on their way," Ferguson said in United’s official yearbook.

“Soon I will look into the eyes of my players to make sure they have retained the hunger they need to succeed. Then we will look forward.

“If I don’t see the appetite and ambition, then the bus moves on without anyone who has lost the spark.

“We cannot afford to slacken. The Premier League has never been so competitive and it is difficult to defend a European championship.

“But we have a group of players good enough to do it and we have the right back-up in terms of a strong squad.”

Mike Maguire