Red Devils Loitering With Intent

Seven points off top spot but with two games in hand, Sir Alex Ferguson feels United are well placed to mount a strong Premier League challenge in 2009.

Victories over Stoke and Middlesbrough since returning from Japan have thrust the Reds back into the title hunt after a tricky start to the season, and the United manager is confident going into the New Year.

"We’re in a good position now, come the turn of the year," Sir Alex said after the victory over Boro. "We have the two games in hand – both at home, we’ve played more games away – that brings us level.

"It’s going to be a great run-in, it’s really exciting. I think we have to look at the both of them (Liverpool and Chelsea), but the important thing is just to do our own job. We’ve always done that, look after ourselves and we’ll be ok.

"I think the first half of the season has been very difficult for us. We had the tough away fixtures and, it’s old hat of course, but playing away after every European game is not easy. We’ve managed to cope, and we’re in a position where we can still challenge."

Four trophies in 2008 represents a memorable year in United's opulent history, and Sir Alex expects his players to try and top that achievement over the coming months.

"It’s a marvellous year for this football club and I’m delighted for them," said the manager. "Four trophies in a year, including the Community Shield, and they’ll want more because they’re young.

"Then when you see Neville, Giggs and Scholes on Saturday at Stoke, they never made a mistake between the three of them, they were absolutely magnificent.

"They’re showing the rest of the players how you win titles. Tonight (against Middlesbrough), Neville and Scholes came on and made a difference. It’s that experience which will help us. We’ve got the right players, there’s the right atmosphere about the players, and the spirit’s good."