Sir Alex Ferguson hits back as mind games begin
The first dose of mind games of the new Premier League season was laughed off by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
City rival Roberto Mancini says the Reds are favourites for the 2013 crown not his champions.
But 19-times title-winner Fergie jokingly dismissed the Italians opening effort in the psychological warfare.
We are favourites every week according to him, said the Old Trafford manager. Is he ever going to realise he has got a decent team himself?
Manchesters toe-to-toe challenge for the league crown captivated the nation last season and Fergie believes it will be a local battle again come next May.
But he is warning goal difference will not settle this issue next time around.
If you ask me who I think are our biggest threat this season then its Man City without question, he said.
Chelsea have won the European Cup. It is a trophy Roman Abramovich has been after.
He has now got excited again and loosened the purse strings to sign a few players.
I am almost certain they will be challenging. But I look at Manchester City as our biggest danger.
That rivalry has been going on for 100 years, not just last year. Neighbours are neighbours. Derby games never change.
"The defeat at Old Trafford was one reason we lost the league on goal difference.
No matter the years of experience we have had in terms of winning titles, last year was different. It was the first time anyone has beaten us on goal difference. It cost us the league and it wont happen again, trust me on that.
Uniteds capture of Robin van Persie has seen the club commit to around 47m this summer.
The Dutch striker cost 24m, former Borussi! a Dortmu nd midfielder Shinji Kagawas price could reach around 17m and 18-year-old starlet Nick Powell could eventually see Crewe benefit to the tune of 6m.
That will almost match the 50m outlay 12 months ago that saw the Reds bring in David de Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young.
But, teasingly, Ferguson has not ruled out that record close-season investment being surpassed before the transfer deadline expires at the end of the month.
He wasnt convincing when he told the media at the Van Persie press conference that yes it was the end of his spending and particularly as hed already told the clubs TV station MUTV: I think that is maybe it.
"Maybe in one other position. We have spent a big amount of money and, if I need to go to the owners, I am sure they would say yes.
"But its only if a certain player would become available.
Ferguson, however, has yet to add further to the transfer credit column this summer after banking 2m from QPR for Ji-sung Park.
United are hoping to recoup around 5m for striker Dimitar Berbatov but the Bulgarian is still on the payroll.
There has been nothing about in terms of Berba. There have been a few interests but nothing definite that has encouraged us to sell, said Sir Alex.
Meanwhile, Van Persie has this weekend to prove, after hardly appearing in Arsenals pre-season warm-ups following his Euro 2012 stint with Holland, that he is ready to make his debut at Everton on Monday night when United kick off their Premier League season.
Tweet
City rival Roberto Mancini says the Reds are favourites for the 2013 crown not his champions.
But 19-times title-winner Fergie jokingly dismissed the Italians opening effort in the psychological warfare.
We are favourites every week according to him, said the Old Trafford manager. Is he ever going to realise he has got a decent team himself?
Manchesters toe-to-toe challenge for the league crown captivated the nation last season and Fergie believes it will be a local battle again come next May.
But he is warning goal difference will not settle this issue next time around.
If you ask me who I think are our biggest threat this season then its Man City without question, he said.
Chelsea have won the European Cup. It is a trophy Roman Abramovich has been after.
He has now got excited again and loosened the purse strings to sign a few players.
I am almost certain they will be challenging. But I look at Manchester City as our biggest danger.
That rivalry has been going on for 100 years, not just last year. Neighbours are neighbours. Derby games never change.
"The defeat at Old Trafford was one reason we lost the league on goal difference.
No matter the years of experience we have had in terms of winning titles, last year was different. It was the first time anyone has beaten us on goal difference. It cost us the league and it wont happen again, trust me on that.
Uniteds capture of Robin van Persie has seen the club commit to around 47m this summer.
The Dutch striker cost 24m, former Borussi! a Dortmu nd midfielder Shinji Kagawas price could reach around 17m and 18-year-old starlet Nick Powell could eventually see Crewe benefit to the tune of 6m.
That will almost match the 50m outlay 12 months ago that saw the Reds bring in David de Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young.
But, teasingly, Ferguson has not ruled out that record close-season investment being surpassed before the transfer deadline expires at the end of the month.
He wasnt convincing when he told the media at the Van Persie press conference that yes it was the end of his spending and particularly as hed already told the clubs TV station MUTV: I think that is maybe it.
"Maybe in one other position. We have spent a big amount of money and, if I need to go to the owners, I am sure they would say yes.
"But its only if a certain player would become available.
Ferguson, however, has yet to add further to the transfer credit column this summer after banking 2m from QPR for Ji-sung Park.
United are hoping to recoup around 5m for striker Dimitar Berbatov but the Bulgarian is still on the payroll.
There has been nothing about in terms of Berba. There have been a few interests but nothing definite that has encouraged us to sell, said Sir Alex.
Meanwhile, Van Persie has this weekend to prove, after hardly appearing in Arsenals pre-season warm-ups following his Euro 2012 stint with Holland, that he is ready to make his debut at Everton on Monday night when United kick off their Premier League season.
Tweet
Comments
Post a Comment