• Premier League

Fergie: I don't care about challenging Chelsea's record

ESPN staff
March 30, 2013
Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to get the better of Roberto Mancini © PA Photos
Enlarge

Sir Alex Ferguson insists he does not care how Manchester United win the Premier League title, he is simply desperate to do so.

Ferguson's men currently sit 15 points clear of second-placed Manchester City in the race for silverware. The United manager has previously stated his desire to eclipse Chelsea's 2005 record of 95 competition points, but says he would accept a league triumph no matter the circumstances.

"I don't care what I win it by," Ferguson said. "It could be a dodgy goal off someone's backside in the last minute of the last game of the season. It doesn't bother me one bit. Winning the league is the issue."

As they prepare to visit Sunderland for the first time since they stood by the side on the pitch, their own season over, to discover Sergio Aguero had won the title for City, Ferguson is delighted with how his players responded to last season's heartbreak. With just two draws and three defeats, United have been close to perfect this campaign.

"These things are hard to take," he said. "For about 20 seconds we thought we had won it and it was snatched away from us. But what we have done well this season is dusted ourselves down and made a real good challenge of the league.

"The concentration levels, the commitment of the players and the team spirit have been fantastic. In that respect we have answered the only way we can."

Meanwhile, Ferguson is confident Rio Ferdinand will not be affected by any abuse from the stands as a result of his recent England withdrawal.

"If there is criticism out there I don't think it will bother him. In modern society there is always a venting of spleen against someone who displeases them at any particular moment in time. It will blow over quite quickly.

"Most people realise Rio's international career had been in doubt for a while anyway. He hadn't been picked for a few games."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices