BOSS PREPARED FOR STOKE THREAT
Sir Alex Ferguson thinks matches at this stage of the season are always fraught with danger, no matter who the opposition are.
Stoke City head into Sunday's fixture at the Britannia Stadium on the
back of five defeats in their last six games and are in the relegation
dog-fight following the home loss to Aston Villa last time out. Yet Tony
Pulis' side have a reputation for upsetting the bigger sides in front
of their passionate supporters and it promises to be an awkward
afternoon for table-topping Manchester United.
"It doesn’t matter if you’re playing a team at the top, the middle or
the bottom, you have a job to do," said Sir Alex. "It doesn’t matter
when in the season you go to Stoke because you know you have to stand up
to the mark, they do present a challenge to you.
"They’re strong physically, their set-piece play is good, their long
throw-ins are legendary and you have to deal with these situations.
That’s what we’ll face on Sunday. I don’t think you can quieten that
crowd, probably one of the noisiest in the league. Stoke have great
support and they deserve that because they have progressed really well
over the years."
The boss thinks Stoke are unlikely to crumble under the added
pressure of their situation, despite being jeered off by some fans after
the Villa setback.
"I think every team will be judging the mood of the place and how
they're coping with big-game situations," he explained. "I think we have
enough experience to really understand that. For teams that it’s new
to, it means it can be a long season of challenges and that relegation
situation is tough.
"But that’s why I always think Wigan will get out because they have
been there so many times and the experience of that does help. It might
be new to other teams and how they cope mentally is a big challenge to
them. When you’re at the top, it’s a similar situation but a different
type of pressure."
More: Sir Alex - We're in good shape |
Boss - We need to beat Stoke
STAM'S PRIDE AT DUTCH REDS
Former United defender Jaap Stam says there is a lot of pride in his homeland for the strong Dutch connection at Old Trafford.
Robin van Persie and Alexander Büttner joined the club in the summer
and first-team coach Rene Meulensteen continues to have a strong impact
on the team.
Van Persie's contribution has been obvious following his switch from
Arsenal while Büttner is pleased to have had a taste of action in his
first season in English football.
"Robin has done exceptionally well and is a world-class player who
has proved himself in England really well since he left Holland," Stam
told ManUtd.com. "So everyone has got a lot of respect for him for what
he's done in his career.
"I've seen Büttner a couple of times but he hasn't played too much.
When I have seen him, he has been aggressive and that's how he is. He
was the type of player over here in Holland who liked to attack as a
left-sided defender and was aggressive with it.
"As we all know, the type of football is completely different to what
he was used to in Holland but, of course, I wish him well."
Meulensteen, meanwhile, is a key figure behind the scenes who has
been with the club since 2001, aside from a short stint coaching
Brondby.
"When I was at United, Rene phoned me a couple of times to ask how it
was over there before he joined the club," revealed Stam, who is taking
part in the Legends game
against Real Madrid at Old Trafford on 2 June. "I don't know exactly
what he's been doing but I would love to see what he's doing now at
United because I'm working on my licence as a coach as well.
"From what I've heard and read, he is doing very well over there and
that's good. Of course all the Dutch people I know are proud that we
have got a lot of Dutch people at United. We've had them in the past and
they're performing again now."
More: Podcast - Away from home | Seven games to go |
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WELBECK ANSWERS FANS' QUESTIONS
MUTV followed Danny Welbeck to tell the story of his rise from humble
beginnings in Longsight, an inner city area of Manchester, to United’s
first team. The programme airs on Sunday 14 April at 21:00 BST on MUTV.
Below, Danny answers questions posted by fans on United’s Facebook page…
MUTV filmed a documentary on your career so far, called Welbz. Are you looking forward to watching it? Harper Simpson
[Laughs] Yes, it was enjoyable to do and great to be able to go
back to my old school and take the kids some new kits from the
Manchester United Foundation. It was nice to catch up with some familiar
faces too.
You made your 100th United appearance against Manchester City. What's the stand-out match from your career so far? Oliver Chudders
Really? I didn’t know that! I’ll have to say Real Madrid at the
Bernabeu – the whole occasion was brilliant to be involved in. It was a
massive day for the club and for myself. Ultimately the tie ended in big
disappointment, but I was pleased with my performance in the Bernabeu
and it was an experience I'll never forget.
What's been the most important league result of the season? Pete Giddins
That’s a tough one. Every game matters so it’s difficult to pick
one, but I’d say beating City away 3-2 [in December]. Winning there was a
big result.
It’s coming to that time of the season where the votes are cast for Player of the Year – who gets your vote? Chloe Smith
This is really difficult because so many of the lads have done
well. Obviously Robin [van Persie] has been class and scored plenty of
goals. It’s not just been about his goals though – it’s been his team
performances as well. Rafael has done really well, but I’ll have to say
Michael Carrick. I’ve always been a massive fan of Michael’s – he brings
so much to the team and the quality of his passing can really put teams
on the back foot. He’s been putting on exhibition shows in some games
this season – he’s been top class.
The manager regularly picks you for big games - how much confidence do you take from that? Anders Hakegard
It's always great to be playing in the big ones, but I want to play in
every game! Of course, it gives you confidence, but it's something I
just try to take in my stride while focusing on continuing to improve
and develop as a player.
More: Watch out for Welbz | Evra remains focused
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NANI WANTS TO MAKE HISTORY
Manchester United winger Nani is determined to help steer the Reds to a 20th league title as he explained to MUTV, ahead of Monday's derby with Manchester City...
Was everybody flat after the Chelsea FA Cup defeat?
I think everyone has been a bit disappointed and a bit down
after that day. Everyone expected a good result but that's football. We
have already spoken to the manager as a team about it and we know we
still have a job to do. We have to focus on the next games and try to
forget that.
You've only started seven league games this season. Has that been frustrating?
Yes, this season has been a bit disappointing for me as I've
had a couple of injuries. It's been very difficult to be at my best but
I've come back from injury and am trying to be at my best until the
finish of the season. I hope that, next season, I can do what I like to
do - play my football and be at my best.
Do you feel better when you have had a run of games?
It gives you confidence but, most importantly, you are fit and
your fitness is at a higher level and that's what I'm trying to do. Now
I'm feeling good and the confidence comes as normal.
Do you still look at the Champions League and think 'that could have been us' after the Madrid game?
Yes, sometimes when we watch the Champions League games, some
friends come and say 'that was a very bad decision from the referee'. If
I didn't come off, we should win the game but you cannot do anything
and I guess you have to look forward. That's life.
What would it mean to you to win your fourth Premier League title?
It means a lot because I've been saying in the past that what
you learn at this club is the mentality to always win every competition
and the most important is the Premier League. So what happened last year
made us very focused on this league for this year. I think we've been
doing a very good job to be in this position and we want to win the
league and make history for this club again.
Is the pain of last season driving you all on?
It's always like that every season when we lose something or
should do better. Straight away when we've finished the league, we
always try and focus on the next one and try to win, work very hard and
give back to the other teams what they have done to us.
Do you have to put the 15-point lead towards the back of your minds?
It's difficult to forget that but we know the Premier League is
very difficult. Every game. Every team has something to do and
something to fight for and we know the next seven games will be
difficult, every one, and that is why we are concentrating on the games -
for every minute and every second. We will only relax when we know it's
not possible for a team to compete with us.
More - Derby podcast with United legend Arthur Albiston | Training photos |
Jones excites Sir Alex
BOSS: LEAGUE MATTERS MOST
Sir Alex Ferguson has pointed out that wresting the title
crown back from Manchester City would represent a very successful season
for United.
In an exclusive interview with
MUTV,
the boss admits he is perplexed at any suggestion that the defeats to
Real Madrid and Chelsea in the Champions League and FA Cup respectively
could take some of the gloss off the campaign.
Perhaps it is the commanding lead in the table that causes some
pundits to claim there could be a 'flat' end to the season for the Reds
but nothing could be further from the truth for the manager, who
appreciates how difficult it is to win the league.
Despite City chief Roberto Mancini's recent comments, the title race
is still not over and Monday's derby is one that United will be
desperate to win in order to stretch the lead even further to 18 points
with seven fixtures remaining.
Sir Alex said: "I was asked about only winning one trophy. I think
that's a strange question in the context of the kind of competition we
have as we're up against teams from London - Arsenal, Tottenham and
Chelsea - plus Liverpool and Everton.
"There are massive challenges every year [for both Manchester clubs].
For every one of those teams, the supporters want to win one trophy. I
think we can win the one that really does matter to the fans in
particular.
"Yes, I'd love to win the Champions League again but I'd say that we
were knocked out in circumstances everyone is still talking about. The
disappointment at being knocked out by Chelsea is obvious but the league
form has been fantastically consistent."
More: No rest for Robin |
United duo on track for derby |
Vidic remains single minded
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