Sir Alex Ferguson brands Arsenal as title contenders, confirms Edwin Van Der Sar’s retirement plans
After Luis http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299 had come out and declared that Arsene Wenger’s side were no longer challengers for the English Premier League title, Manchester United’s manager, Sir Alex Ferguson has come out and made it clear that he thinks that Arsenal are still in the
title race. Despite losing their latest encounter in the English Premier League to Manchester United by a goal to nil, Arsenal are still second in the English league standings. Arsenal are above the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea who are in third and
fourth place respectively.
In his latest interview, Ferguson ruled out Tottenham and Manchester City as possible title contenders but he was adamant on the fact that Arsenal were still in the running for the English Premier League title. With the tough round of matches ahead for the
Gunners as they face Chelsea on 27th of December, Arsene Wenger’s team will be looking to make an impact on the title race.
Sir Alex spoke about the title race in his recent interview as he said that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 and Arsenal along with Manchester United will be the ones challenging for the English Premier League title in the end. He also said that Tottenham, Harry Redknapp’s team
will be competing in the UEFA Champions League throughout the season therefore it will be hard for them to focus on the Premier League with the current squad at the White Hart Lane.
The long standing Manchester United manager went onto say that Manchester City have a chance as well but their Europa League commitments might get in the way as they mount up a title challenge at the Eastlands stadium. Manchester United’s fans were given
some sad news through Ferguson’s interview as the Scot revealed that the 2010-2011 season will be Edwin Van Der Sar’s last season at Old Trafford. Van Der Sar, who was Manchester United’s savior in 2008 as they won the UEFA Champions League final penalty shootout
against Chelsea in Moscow, has been a loyal servant to the club ever since he joined the Manchester outfit in 2005.
In his five years at Old Trafford, the Dutchman has won the UEFA Champions League twice, the English Premier League thrice and the Carling Cup once. Ferguson has already lined up http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Anders-Lindegaard-c5553 as a replacement for the experienced goalkeeper as Manchester
United look to maintain their dominance in the Premier League.
Ferguson said in his interview, "I did expect this to be Edwin's final season. To still be playing at this level at 40 is amazing. You can only do it if you have the structure and the mind to be able to programme himself and train the way he does. It is
phenomenal."
Sir Alex humbly accepted that he made a mistake when he didn’t sign Edwin when Peter Schmeichel had parted ways with Manchester United after the club won the treble in 1999. The Scotsman said, "I am very lucky to have had both Van Der Sar and Schmeichel.
But we have learnt from when we tried to replace Peter. I should have signed Van Der Sar after Schmeichel but I made a mistake. Now we know where we are going."
Manchester United next face Sunderland on 26th of December, 2010. The Black Cats have a terrific record at their own home stadium i.e. the Stadium of Light but their away record is not that impressive. Nonetheless, Steve Bruce’s men have already
secured an away win against Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge this season. The 3-0 win against the English champions was a memorable win for Sunderland but at Old Trafford, Manchester United will be wary of the threat posed by the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Asamoah-Gyan-c6791 and Darren
Bent in attack.
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