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NEVILLE: OUR MEAN STREAK MUST CONTINUE
Gary Neville is urging United to string together the wins as a "weird" campaign enters its decisive phase.
Just two points separate the top three ahead of a big weekend in the Barclays Premier League. United, Chelsea and Arsenal have so far lost six, five and six games respectively, and Neville feels the topsy-turvy title race will go right to the wire.
The Reds skipper told United Review, “I think all three teams at the top can win it.
"It’s been a weird season. In a normal season we’d probably be seven or eight points clear by now. On the other hand we’re thinking ‘thank God we’re still in it.' "It's all to play for and we know a winning run now can be devastating. I hope we win it because we've been the best and the most consistent team."
United's next task is to beat a Fulham side that inflicted one of the Reds' league defeats, at Craven Cottage in December. Sir Alex Ferguson said on Friday:
"Fulham play with great discipline which is down to the manager. Roy Hodgson has turned the whole club round. He has formed a team that no-one likes to play against – they’re well organised, they keep possession well and can pass the ball. It's not going to be an easy game for us."
More: Good news on the injury front | Press conference video
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Q & A: RAFAEL
The Brazilian right-back played his part in United's knock-out victory over Milan, from marking Ronaldinho in the first leg to setting up a goal for Darren Fletcher in the second...
What was the reaction back home to you playing in the Champions League against Ronaldinho?
Honestly, it feels like everybody in Brazil has asked me what it was like playing against him! It was magic for me, considering that Ronaldinho is a Brazilian idol. I am just a young player still learning the game, so it was a great experience coming up against a player like him.
Is he the toughest opponent you’ve faced so far?
I’d have to say yes, he’s been one of the best players in the world for some time. He’s done a lot in his career and he is still playing at the very highest level. He is a wonderful player. Is the Champions League popular in Brazil?
Yes, it's very big and very famous. It means a lot to me as a Brazilian to play in the Champions League. It’s hard to find the right words to express the feeling. It’s always a wonderful occasion.
You're back in the squad after a long time out with injury. Was that a frustrating period for you?
Last year I had a lot of opportunities to play in the first team, and earlier this season I was frustrated because I started the campaign out injured. I thought that I’d have a big chance to try to play in the team a lot this term. But now I have recovered and I’m back playing, and I feel in good shape.
You’ve played more games than your brother, Fabio. Is that hard for him?
I think I was a bit luckier than my brother because Gary Neville and Wes Brown both had injuries, which meant I had a chance to show what I could do. Patrice Evra never gets injured – he’s like an elastic man! Fabio is a bit unlucky because of that. Last season he felt a bit frustrated because he was injured as well, but this season he feels more integrated in the squad. He’s doing well and I’m sure he’ll get his chance.
Is he thinking of moving to the right?
[Laughs] Yes, he’s threatened to so that he has an opportunity to take my place – but I won’t give it up easily! | | | | |  |
BLOG: A FAMOUS WIN, FULLY DESERVED
Nick Coppack writes... Some opposition fans and media outlets have tried to pour scorn on United’s victory on Wednesday night by claiming it wasn’t really that big an achievement. Their reasoning? Milan are a side in transition. Or, as David Pleat in The Guardian so scythingly put it, a team of “ageing pedestrians”.
Hang on a minute: this is AC Milan we’re talking about, a perennial European superpower boasting some of the most talented players on the planet (Ronaldinho, Pirlo, Seedorf, Ambrosini, Beckham). And yet United progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 7-2 aggregate win, embarrassing the Italians in their own backyard before thumping four past them at Old Trafford. That’s no small feat.
As for the “ageing” accusation, United’s starting XI on Wednesday night boasted a higher average age (29) than Milan’s (28). The following morning, though, you’ll no doubt have heard how Milan’s stars were “over the hill” or “past their best”. Meanwhile, United's veterans drew on “valuable experience” and a “winning pedigree”. That's the fickle nature of the press for you.
When it comes down to it, the Reds played better over the two legs and thoroughly deserved the victory. Wayne Rooney took his chances in front of goal, Ji-sung Park nullified Andrea Pirlo (“ Park was the key,” Sir Alex said) and United's back four ensured Edwin van der Sar barely had a save to make.
United now wait until next Friday (19 March) to find out who lies in the way of a fourth successive semi-final berth. Whoever it is, the message is the same: bring it on!
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