Ferguson: Wants United to go on a run
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United boss throws down gauntlet
Sir Alex Ferguson admits Manchester United must treat every game as "must-win" as they look to put pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea.
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United had fallen eight points adrift of Carlo Ancelotti's men prior to kick-off against Everton at Old Trafford tonight and for half an hour they looked like the gap would prove difficult to close.
Darren Fletcher's brilliant volley ended such fears and with Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia also finding the net after half-time, the Red Devils were able to celebrate their biggest win since August.
"We have to look at all the games as must-win now," said Ferguson.
"We need to get on a run and be somewhere near the top of the league by New Year's Day. Then, in the second half of the season we can have a real go and give ourselves a chance."
With their place in the Champions League knock-out phase secure already, Ferguson can make plenty of changes for Wednesday's encounter with Besiktas and keep his preferred team fresh for the long trip to Portsmouth on Saturday.
It is a fair bet Fletcher will be involved at Fratton Park after another fine performance.
Over the last 12 months, Fletcher's reputation has soared.
Ferguson is obviously well aware of his fellow countryman's abilities at shutting down the opposition.
But the United manager admitted Fletcher's volley took him by surprise.
"Darren is an improving player," said Ferguson.
"Each year we have seen his performance level go up and up and it is still doing so.
"But I have to admit I did not expect that goal. It was really well taken."
Ferguson was equally delighted by a clean sheet that was achieved without the talents of Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea and Johnny Evans, who were all ruled out through injury, plus Gary Neville, who was serving the last game of a three-match suspension.
"That is probably the most important part of the win," said Ferguson.
"When we defend properly and do our jobs, as we did tonight, it gives us a big chance of winning the league."
Ferguson confirmed neither Evans nor Dimitar Berbatov will be fit enough for Wednesday, although they could be available for the Portsmouth encounter.
Everton manager David Moyes admitted his side were beaten by the better side and denied he got his tactics wrong after starting the game with a lone frontman in Louis Saha, only to introduce Ayegbeni Yakubu at half-time to provide some support after his side had been completely outplayed.
"It is easy to say certain things but unless you are the manager thinking about the best formation to stop Manchester United, you can't really know," he countered.
"The fact is when we went two up front we conceded two goals, so there is no guarantee we would have done any better.
"We did not do enough to get a result and we cannot complain at the outcome."
Moyes confirmed Marouane Fellaini's fifth booking of the season means he will miss Wednesday's trip to Hull, further stretching an already injury-hit squad.
"We are struggling to get a balance to the team," he admitted.
"We are trying to find a winning formation but it has not been easy."
Man Utd 3 - 0 Everton
GERRARD19 : "...WOW I celebrated that Portsmouth goal like they were my team and I beleive they have enough quality to survive with the players they have. I only watched the last ten minutes so dont know how well they played throughout ..." view full comment
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Your Comments
mindofpoison (Manchester United fan)
""United need a powerful all-out striker to play infront of Rooney or Berbatov"
Pretty much what I was saying when I suggested Fabiano or Adebayor-type players.
As for Tevez, I never said he had hit 20+ a season. But, if he was actually given a guaranteed starting berth, with a consistent run of games, I believe he would build up the form to become a striker capable of 20+ a season.
He's a bigger loss than most fans will ever admit.
Rooney has got the guaranteed first team place, but he's not exactly setting the premiership on-fire with goals galore, never has, yeah he has little purple patches, but so did diego forlan.
We need someone prolific."
joec8 (Sheffield Wednesday fan)
"When was tevez ever a 20+ a season striker? By losing Tevez, they haven't lost goals. They've just lost his effect and momentum. Rooney is certainly replicating that, and possibly to a much higher level. It's Ronaldo's goals that are missed, and Valenica is gaining more and more confidence in shooting, which he is good at. Yes, some have come from deflections, but that's the kind of shots he take. They will be prone to deflections as they are hard and low. That is certainly a good thing. Still. Rooney and Bebartopv are two players that are creative and intelligent, neither are poachers. United need a powerful all-out striker to play infront of Rooney or Berbatov."
mindofpoison (Manchester United fan)
"I wasn't slating Rooney, I was giving my honest opinion of him as a player.
Which part of it do you actually think is wrong cos I think it's pretty accurate.
He mite be 4th in the scoring charts now but at the end of the season I'd be suprised (happily) if he was still near the top.
I think United are guna be relying on their midfielders like Carrick, Valencia, Hargreaves and Fletcher to all weigh in with 10-15 goals each this season because they dont have any 20+ strikers without Tevez & Ronaldo."
snoop (Manchester United fan)
"i cant believe the guys slating rooney! he is 4th in the EPL scoring charts, gives alot more assists than the players above him. and any england fan (im fromm south africa - and yes pool fans i have been to Old Trafford) england need rooney to shine to win it!! he is yr key player!!
"
fulisiakantora (Manchester United fan)
"Beware chelski, HERE WE COME!!! ~LUHG~"
siralexsoldier (Manchester United fan)
"rooney is a forward, he needs 2 play behind a striker, and berba is not that man, he wont score.... but rooney is not a midfielder in any sense... he must play jus behind the striker.. not left or right wing, jus behind. if owen can score, then that wud b perfect. berba was bought to score goals, he jus dusnt do enuff! its no point havin 2 players comin deep in rooney n berba when theres no1 in the box 2 score.. we dnt hav ronaldo. havin said that. wer 2nd, thru to 2nd round of champs lg and in jan can buy sum1... but i believe we shudnt listen to the hype of media, chelsea have been supposedly stronger than us for past 3 seasons and where have the titles ended up?"
mindofpoison (Manchester United fan)
"Actually, I must admit I can see where Lloyd is coming from.
He is undoubtedly a very talented player and one of England's best attacking options but surely after 8 years in the game and now in his 6th at Old Trafford people have got to take off the rose-tinted glasses at see things for what they truly are.
Rooney is an attacking midfielder, he is not a prolific goalscorer like Shearer, Fowler or Cole.
He is not a poacher like Van Nistelrooy or Owen, not the ferret in the box like Torres or the powerhouse of Drogba.
He is a creater of chances, carving openings, making a nuisance of himself and generally giving 110% for the cause. There is undoubted class as well but he is not going to hit 20+ every season.
He's the perfect foil for someone like Fabiano, Eto'o or even someone in the mould of Adebayor.
United need to buy someone else in or I fear the 4th title in a row is but a distant dream."
seanie40 (Manchester United fan)
"Lloyd- You are a disgrace being a United fan, talking about Rooney like that!"
mu2008 (Manchester United fan)
"Nice performance. 3 goals by midfielders, all assisted by midfielders, thats heads up. Owen and Rooney created a lot of space for them, a little unfortunate that Owen didnt make the scoresheet, Rooney on the other hand looked a unsharpe. Valencia showing that he will become a very important player for us. Fletcher man of the match, he was everywhere, he is really turning into one of our most important players, not only for the classy goal, but mostly for his all over the field style.
Is it only me, or does somebody else think that we are lousy taking corners, I mean we have some of the best headers in the country in Vidic and Brown, so why not use them.
I like when Scholes is comming on the the last 15-20 min, as he is then pressing forward, something he has not done a lot the last 2-3 seasons.
Obertan was a little disapointing yesterday, I expect a lot more from him, but he showed a few nice tricks."
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