Reds need a strong finish

Friday, April 24, 2009
Wednesday's 2-0 victory sent the Reds three points clear of second-placed Liverpool. And with six games left in the title race, Scholes says that winning is all that matters.

"Whether we play well or we're lucky, it doesn't matter - we just need to make sure we win these games," he says.

"We are coming into the match at a really important time of the season, so hopefully we can get the result that we want."

Scholes made his 600th Reds appearance against Pompey - but even with his considerable experience, it doesn't make challenging for top honours any easier, and he expects a tough test at Old Trafford come Saturday tea-time.

Nothing is guaranteed

Although the Reds also have a game in hand on both Liverpool and Chelsea, the Scottish midfielder is adamant that the reigning champions must retain a steely focus to get the job done.

"It was a massive result after Liverpool only getting a point against Arsenal," Fletcher told MUTV. "It was important that we came out and won. We’re top of the league, three points ahead and we have a game in hand.

"We’re not counting that game in hand because the points aren’t in the bag yet and there are going to be plenty of twists and turns in this season. All we can do is concentrate on ourselves and as long as we keep winning matches then we should win the league."

Tottenham are next up at Old Trafford before attentions switch to the Champions League visit of Arsenal, but Fletch says the players' thoughts haven't turned to the Gunners' mouth-watering visit just yet.

"We’ve got three massive home games," he said. "We got Portsmouth out of the way, now we look to Tottenham. We can only look to our next game and try and get three points in that. That’s always the case just now: concentrate on your next match and don’t get too far ahead of yourself."

Ryan Giggs

Giggs was outstanding in his 799th run-out for United in the 2-0 win over Portsmouth on Wednesday. He will make it 800 if he plays against either Tottenham on Saturday or Arsenal on Wednesday.

“Ryan is the most respected player at the club," said Reds boss Sir Alex. "What he has achieved is an example for everyone.

“When you think of Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda, who played in the semi-final last week, Ryan made his debut about the time they were born! It’s unbelievable. Whatever accolades he gets, he deserves them."

Giggs has won just about all the game has to offer, but so far the PFA Player of the Year award has proved elusive. Sir Alex thinks it would be a fitting tribute if the 35-year-old was handed the trophy at the annual ceremony in London this Sunday.

“I hope [he gets it]," added the boss. "He’s played 40 games this season. The way you use squads today, not everyone plays all the games, very few do. So hopefully he is rewarded for his contribution to the game, and he would thoroughly deserve it.

“We’re a very special club that way, in that players put down there career at a club like us. Being local boys does help. Players like Giggs and Paul Scholes are not in on sentiment, they’re there on ability.”

Michael Carrick agrees, saying that Scholes, who made his 600th appearance on Wednesday, and Giggs are have achieved extraordinary levels of success which he aspires to.

"They're just unbelievable professionals with fantastic talent and ability," Carrick told MUTV. "They are great people to learn from and the perfect example of what it takes to be a winner at this club.

"They're an inspiration to us all. To keep producing over such a long period at the highest level is frightening. Not many people can do that and it speaks volumes for the kind of players and people they are."

Rio's back

Ferdinand was rested in Wednesday's win over Portsmouth after playing for 120 minutes in the FA Cup semi-final. The 30-year-old has struggled with a groin problem, but he is to be recalled into the starting line-up.

"After extra time at Wembley, we felt it was best to rest Rio," said the boss. "Jonny Evans never lets us down, so we did the sensible thing in resting Rio. We have Tottenham, a European tie against Arsenal on Wednesday, a Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Middlesbrough, then Arsenal again the following Tuesday.

"It’s a run of games in which we don’t take chances. Hopefully we manage the whole thing without killing ourselves in terms of players playing too much.”

Reds skipper Gary Neville will miss the next two weeks after hobbling out of the Pompey victory with a foot injury. However, there's better news for John O'Shea, who came on for Neville but was later forced off.

"O’Shea’s injury isn't as bad as we thought," Sir Alex added. "We sent him for a scan, which came back all clear. He trained on Friday, which is good. We were surprised because when it happened (a tackle from Belhadj) I thought it was a bad one. Fortunately, it’s not serious."

Wes Brown may be included in the squad after coming through his second Reserves game on Thursday. “Wes played and did OK. It’s a bit early for him to start a match, but it’s good that he’s back. We've had a great deal of trouble at right back this season. Now we have Wes and young Rafael available. Rafa did well against Portsmouth and he'll start against Tottenham."