Let's Up The Ante

Bryan Robson says Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Liverpool could be the ideal way for United to build some trophy-winning momentum going in 2011 – with top performances as well as results.

The Reds have been efficient rather than excellent over Christmas – a by-product, Robson says, of the disruptive postponements against Blackpool and Chelsea then the hectic festive programme. But now is the time to up the ante – and Sunday’s FA Cup third round showdown with struggling Liverpool is the perfect time to do it.

“The boss has one or two injury concerns for Sunday, but hopefully the team isn’t too depleted,” Robbo told ManUtd.com. “It would be good if we maintain this run we’re on at the moment – and a good performance and a win against one of our local rivals would do nicely.”

Sir Alex rejects the notion that United are top of the league without playing well at all, and Robson says scrappy results over the festive programme are a necessity, pointing out that United have navigated a tough spell better than our rivals.

“People say it’s been a bit scrappy in the last few weeks and complain that we haven’t been battering teams. But you can’t do that all the time,” he says.

“We went through a period earlier in the season where we were playing well but not seeing games out. Then came a glut – against Blackburn and Sunderland in particular – where we were playing really well and scoring goals.

"People expected that to be there all the time. But we had one or two games postponed due to the weather and after that we were straight into the Christmas period.

“It’s sometimes difficult to keep that momentum going, especially during a busy period where the boss is trying to change the team around and keep it fresh.

"It’s about getting the balance right. The players who come in and haven’t played for quite a time, it’s difficult to have the sharpness you get from playing week in, week out. But Sir Alex has managed that part well really well, and hopefully we can build on that on Sunday.”