Manchester United boss Sir http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 as title contenders
Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, revealed he considered Chelsea to be a big threat in the race to the English Premier League crown this season. The Blues, under Carlo Ancelotti last season, suffered a terrible mid-season slump but managed to recover towards the end of the season to challenge the Red Devils for the title but in the end finished second on the Premier League table.
Since then there have been many changes at the London club, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 manager Andre Villas-Boas coming in to replace the Italian manager. The 33-year-old has made some changes at the club, while still retaining the senior players at Stamford Bridge. Manchester United first team coach claimed he did not consider the Blues a threat since they were “too old”, but Ferguson does not agree.
The Manchester United boss was aware that the London club had the ability to present a challenge and their experienced squad only worked in their favour. He mentioned the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044, Nicolas Anelka and Fernando Torres, players all above the age of 25 years. Ferguson insisted the older players were necessary in any squad.
The Red Devils manager has had plenty of experience with older players, having the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rio-Ferdinand-c31173 in his squad. He felt it was unfair to claim the Blues had an ageing squad and rule them out of the title race this early in the season. Ferguson revealed he still considered the London side a big threat this season and was expecting a challenge for the title.
Ferguson said while speaking to reporters:
“They have tremendous experience with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 - there aren't any young kids in that team.
But they don't have 36-or 37-year-olds like Ryan Giggs. Lampard and Drogba are 33, Anelka is 32 - not dissimilar to (Michael) Carrick and Rio Ferdinand, and we wouldn't be saying they are dead and buried, would we? So why should they be?
He continued:
“They'll still be a big threat and we expect them to challenge.”
While he got the better of Villas-Boas’ predecessor last season in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, Ferguson is yet to face the young Portuguese manager. He admitted he was prepared for a surprise when taking on the young Chelsea manager, who he did not know too much about. After immense success with FC Porto last season, the Manchester United boss said he was confident Villas-Boas would do well in the Premier League.
Ferguson said:
“He's a young man and it's a big step coming into the Premier League from the Portuguese championship, but given time and support anything is possible.”
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