2013_1_April

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

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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