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SIR ALEX TARGETS CONSISTENCY
Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping his Manchester United side can kick on now that the international fixtures have drawn to a close until 2012. With domestic matters back in focus again, starting with Saturday's trip to Swansea City, the manager is fully aware that his team need to keep winning in order to be in the right position to challenge in January. Manchester City sit five points clear at the head of the Barclays Premier League and the boss is demanding the champions hit top form - beginning with this weekend's teatime encounter. "It's an interesting game tomorrow," he admitted. "I think everyone's been impressed by the way Swansea have played - they've kept their philosophy of playing attacking football, or playing good football anyway. It was interesting to see their stats from their last away game against Liverpool - they had 67 per cent of possession, which is very good at a place like Anfield. "So we know we have a tough game tomorrow but that's the way our league is and we have an opportunity now the internationals are over until February, a three-month opportunity, to make sure we get some consistency, good form and by 1 January, we hope that we're in the right position in the league. New Year is always an important time for me. It's always crucial in my calendar that we get to that time of the season in good order." More: Boss reveals Cleverley blow | Jones is a midfield option |
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BLACKMORE'S ROONEY WISH Former United player Clayton Blackmore has admitted he would like to see Wayne Rooney restored to his familiar attacking role against Swansea. The England international has been used in a withdrawn role of late but injuries to Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen could see United's top scorer restored to attacking duties at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday. "I think he should be up front because he's a fantastic striker," Blackmore enthused to Red View. "I've got to say he's been playing well in midfield but I think he could play anywhere because he's that kind of player. Even if Wayne went in goal, he'd have a great game. "I think we need him up front, especially this weekend as one of their weak links is at the back, so I'm hoping Wayne will be right up against the centre-halves and give them a torrid time. It's a good thing for United, although England fans won't agree, that he was suspended for his country. "I don't know about him moving into midfield in the long term. In the last game, he only ended up having one shot on goal and we need him in a position where he's getting in front of goal all the time." More: Listen to Clayton Blackmore's views on the latest ManUtd.com podcast |
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LOU FIGHTS OLD TEAM-MATES' CORNER Reds legend Lou Macari admits he was frustrated to see former colleagues Denis Law and Bryan Robson miss out on a place in Manchester United's all-time greatest XI, as selected by fans for a new official DVD box set. The Scot admits trying to pick a team was a nightmare prospect but believes both the legendary striker and captain courageous deserved inclusion when taking into account the supporters' opinions. With George Best also only just edging out Cristiano Ronaldo, Macari feels the majority of voters were backing players from their own era - rather than the past. "There's so many great players over so many years that everyone will have a different opinion," he informed Red View. "When the fans see the eventual team picked, I'd be surprised if the majority don't disagree. I've disagreed already. I think one or two I played with should've been in the team. The voting's probably done by the younger generation nowadays and they remember the present-day players more so than the ones from the past. I wasn't happy my captain Bryan Robson was not in the team. I wasn't happy at all nor that Denis Law wasn't up front. Those two were the main two that surprised me having played with both Denis and Bryan. "Bobby Charlton can get in any position as he was great. George Best got in the team by just four percent of votes ahead of Ronaldo and I don't see that. I've watched Cristiano and he's scored some fantastic goals but Best was just something different, something extra. He should've been way ahead in the voting. But the votes were taken recently and most remember Ronaldo and don't remember George. I think Cristiano did enough in his time here to go alongside the greats and everyone will never ever forget the fantastic goals he scored. We just hoped it would be for longer than it was and his career would end at United but that wasn't the case." More: Greatest XI - Goalkeepers | Defenders | Midfielders | Strikers |
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