Fergie praises in form United

It may seem a strange thing to say given his side are eight points adrift of pacesetters Chelsea and Liverpool and lost their second match of the season at Arsenal last week.

But Ferguson is convinced his side are suffering purely from an untimely inability to turn their chances into goals.

And, once they sort that admittedly significant problem out, the Scot feels United will be flying again.

"I actually believe the performance level is better than it was last season," said Ferguson.

"We have just to start finding that little bit extra in terms of our finishing.

"Life has always been the same here. If you lose a game you have to recover immediately.

"Maybe we need to be more ruthless or show more composure at times but there is no doubt, making the chances we are, it will turn for us."

It seems strange for Ferguson to be pin-pointing an attack containing Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, with Carlos Tevez waiting in the wings.

Yet it is true United are wasting scoring opportunities at an alarming rate, even if, after conceding five goals in two matches, the Red Devils' defence also needs to rediscover its old magic.

"You just have to accept there are some little periods in every season where you just can't put the ball in," said Ferguson.

"We have said time and time again, someone will suffer. We just have to concentrate and keep the belief that if we play our football and continue making chances, it will change for us."

Ferguson must also put plenty of faith in Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic tomorrow.

Unlike Arsene Wenger, the United boss will not be berating Stoke's aerial ambitions.

Indeed, Ferguson does not feel Tony Pulis' side are as blatant in their tactics as Wimbledon were when the completed a meteoric rise through English football in the 1980s.

But, in Rory Delap's long throw-ins, the United boss does accept Stoke boast a weapon that is not easily avoided.

"I remember once playing a team that were very useful at corners and saying to mine own 'Don't give any corners away'. We gave one away in the first minute and they scored so I will forget that piece of advice," reflected Ferguson.

"It is impossible anyway. Every team gets throw-ins.

"It is not so much the throws themselves, it is the way Delap propels them. They are really flat, which makes them very difficult to defend."

Ferguson jokingly stated that as Stoke's smallest player was "six foot 15" United knew exactly what was coming their way.

But, unlike Wenger, he does give Potters boss Pulis plenty of credit for the work he has done at the Britannia Stadium.

And, having watched Stoke's now infamous victory over Arsenal a fortnight ago, Ferguson does not feel they are that bad.

"Stoke are an aggressive, competitive team," said Ferguson.

"Tony Pulis' sides have always been like that. It is true teams mirror their manager and Tony is very competitive. But they are not a dirty team.

"Some teams have that label but Stoke are not like that.

"I watched the highlights of their game against Arsenal. There were one or two tasty tackles but nothing over the top."Story from espnstar.com.

 

EPL:Big 4 season review

English Premier League, the much 08/09 season is about to begin from 16^th of August. This season has been one of the most awaited season as everyone was looking at the papers for news about the ongoing transfer saga’s, the most one followed being the Great Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga. This just overshadowed many important signings going on at other clubs. But at last it ended with Ronaldo issuing a statement that he is going nowhere. Now we will just take a review if the season ahead:

This season’s top 4 according to me will be Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. You will certainly be thinking why I have left Arsenal from the list but that’s because of the reason I think that they lack the experience to be consistent throughout the season which is the prime need to be a Champion anywhere in the world not just in England.

Manchester United, although they haven’t made any signing this summer but still I think they are a step further than the rest. The signings they made last summer were sufficient for them for the coming seasons. They signed Nani, Anderson and Carlos Tevez who have proved to be world class prospects and have grown into world class products. Tevez has made a knack of scoring goals when it is required the most and with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves and seasoned pros Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville at their disposal. More importantly during their pre season United they were without Cristiano Ronaldo, Owen Hargreaves, Park Ji Sung, Michael Carrick(for some part) and many other players but still they were unbeaten throughout their pre season. I think United will be team to beat this season and if they are successful in their pursue of Dimitar Berbatov then they certainly win the title.

Chelsea, with their new manager Luis Felipe Scolari have strengthened their squad with the signings of Deco from Barcelona and Portuguese Jose Bosingwa and are looking to bid for Real Madrid’s Robinho ,although the transfer looks difficult still Chelsea have the quality too beat any team in the world on their day. They have Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry at the heart of their defence with Bosingwa looking to guard the right flank and Ashley Cole looking at left. Signing of Bosingwa will signal an end to their right back problem which was their in the last campaign. Their midfield looks to be a class act as Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard, Deco Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel fighting for places. Their strike force is also strong enough to rattle any defence with the likes of Nicolas Anelka, Andriy Shevchenko and Didier Drogba looking to impose their superiority. Overall I think Chelsea will be the main threat to Man United’s supremacy.

Liverpool has been most busy of the top Four this summer having made some decent signings in the name of Robbie Keane and Andrea Dossena. With the signing of Robbie Keane they increased their attacking options which seemed to be in disarray after the departure of Peter Crouch to Portsmouth. With the likes of Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Xabi Alonso they will be a force to reckon with. But I think they still are not quite up there with Chelsea and Man United. It will be interesting to see how they shape up at the start of the season as I think that will determine their season. Rafael Benitez will also be looking to save himself from the axe if has another trophy less campaign.

Arsenal, Arsene Wenger has continued with his policy to sign youngsters and give them a chance to perform and show their potential on the world stage. This summer he has made just two prolific signings in the name of French Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff. Wenger will also be banking on the success of Emanuel Adebayour, Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie to lead the squad full of youngsters and get results for him. Arsenal according to me will be competent only of they show consistency through the season unlike the last one where they let the EPL title from their hands due to inconsistent play. Arsenals also have strong defence with William Gallas and Kolou Toure at the heart of their defence and with players like Cesc Fabregas in the midfield they will also be a tough one to beat.

Ronaldo transfer saga ends

After months of speculation, Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will remain at Man United for another season. Although he has also said that at one time he thought that United should ask the required amount from Real Madrid and sell him off to them.

The Portugal winger has been linked with Real Madrid throughout the summer, with the Spanish club maintaining their interest even though United repeatedly stressed Ronaldo would not be sold but all the speculation has come to an end as he himself has confirmed that he will be staying at United for atleast a year.

"I will remain with Manchester United for at least another year," Ronaldo told Portuguese newspaper Publico.

Ferguson returned in bullish mood, claiming he had a frank exchange with Ronaldo, who would be staying at United. While his stance from the beginning of this saga was that Ronaldo will be staying at Old Trafford. That belief was reinforced by Real's surprise announcement on Tuesday that the arrival of Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg would represent their only major purchase of the summer.

Now Ronaldo has given United fans the news they were all hoping for. Man United can also now fully concentrate on the season ahead and possibly signing a new player to strengthen the squad.

Meanwhile United continued their pre-season preparations with a goalless draw with Italian giants Juventus at Old Trafford. United are also facing an injury crisis before the start of the season as 10 of their first team players are not available to them through injuries and because of the Olympics. Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney will also be not available to them for the start of the season as they are ill because of the virus they caught while playing a pre season tournament in Nigeria.Anderson has been released to play for Brazil in the Olympics.