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Expect Strong Run From Manchester United - Rio Ferdinand
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1710/manchester-united/2008/12/02/993224/expect-strong-run-from-manchester-united-rio-ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand has warned Manchester United's title rivals to expect no mercy from the Red Devils now...
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Rio Ferdinand has issued a clear warning to those who'd written off Manchester United's title challenge after they faltered recently at Arsenal. He's stated that United have come through their tough run of fixtures and are now set for a long unbeaten run.
Despite having already faced the eight teams that finished directly below them last season away from home in the league this campaign, United are still well in contention in the league table.
They are only six points behind table-toppers Liverpool and five behind Chelsea. They also have a game in hand on both teams. They have also secured a place in the last -16 of the Champions League with one game, at home to Danish side Aalborg, left to play.
And even with the likely disruption to their season caused by their participation in the World Club Cup in Japan later on this month, Ferdinand thinks that their rivals should be running scared.
"We didn't [set the pace] last season and it didn't do us much harm, but we do need to start winning consistently and hopefully we'll hit some form now and go on a run of winning a lot of games," the England defender told The Times.
"That would get us back up there and challenging. We know we can do that, so there's no need to panic.
"You'd love to be leading the league from day one, but it doesn't often happen like that. When you look around the changing-room and see the quality of players, I know we're good enough to win trophies.
"We're all still confident and believe we can go on a 10- or 20-game unbeaten run. Our aim now is to make sure we're within touching distance at Christmas so we can kick on next year and reel those teams in."
Of United's bitterest rivals from other side of Lancashire, Liverpool, Ferdinand said that no one knows how they will react to the pressure of leading the league in December for the first time in seven years as they struggle to end Anfield's 19 year wait for a title.
"Experience is key when it comes to the title run-in, but sometimes not knowing what to expect can also be beneficial because you go into certain situations with no fear," Ferdinand added.
"Liverpool haven't challenged too seriously for the league for a long time but we won't know what effect that will have on them until the end of the season. That's if they're still there or thereabouts, of course."
Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson was expected to give youth its head again against Blackburn Rovers in the Carling Cup semi-final tomorrow night, with Ben Foster deputising for Edwin van der Sar in goal.
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1710/manchester-united/2008/12/02/993224/expect-strong-run-from-manchester-united-rio-ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand has warned Manchester United's title rivals to expect no mercy from the Red Devils now...
Rio Ferdinand has issued a clear warning to those who'd written off Manchester United's title challenge after they faltered recently at Arsenal. He's stated that United have come through their tough run of fixtures and are now set for a long unbeaten run.
Despite having already faced the eight teams that finished directly below them last season away from home in the league this campaign, United are still well in contention in the league table.
They are only six points behind table-toppers Liverpool and five behind Chelsea. They also have a game in hand on both teams. They have also secured a place in the last -16 of the Champions League with one game, at home to Danish side Aalborg, left to play.
And even with the likely disruption to their season caused by their participation in the World Club Cup in Japan later on this month, Ferdinand thinks that their rivals should be running scared.
"We didn't [set the pace] last season and it didn't do us much harm, but we do need to start winning consistently and hopefully we'll hit some form now and go on a run of winning a lot of games," the England defender told The Times.
"That would get us back up there and challenging. We know we can do that, so there's no need to panic.
"You'd love to be leading the league from day one, but it doesn't often happen like that. When you look around the changing-room and see the quality of players, I know we're good enough to win trophies.
"We're all still confident and believe we can go on a 10- or 20-game unbeaten run. Our aim now is to make sure we're within touching distance at Christmas so we can kick on next year and reel those teams in."
Of United's bitterest rivals from other side of Lancashire, Liverpool, Ferdinand said that no one knows how they will react to the pressure of leading the league in December for the first time in seven years as they struggle to end Anfield's 19 year wait for a title.
"Experience is key when it comes to the title run-in, but sometimes not knowing what to expect can also be beneficial because you go into certain situations with no fear," Ferdinand added.
"Liverpool haven't challenged too seriously for the league for a long time but we won't know what effect that will have on them until the end of the season. That's if they're still there or thereabouts, of course."
Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson was expected to give youth its head again against Blackburn Rovers in the Carling Cup semi-final tomorrow night, with Ben Foster deputising for Edwin van der Sar in goal.
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
