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VIDIC: NO NEED TO WORRY Nemanja Vidic has stressed the champions are not panicking at being five points behind leaders Manchester City at this stage of the season. In an exclusive interview with this Saturday's United Review, the official matchday programme, the centre-back says it is far too early to be analysing the league table in too much depth and the Reds are determined to be in the shake-up come May. "When you look at the league table, we'd obviously prefer to be closer," he conceded. "But nobody in the team is panicking. There are tough games for everybody ahead and there's more than half the season left to play. We have a lot of talent, experience and desire in this squad - certainly enough to win the league." Shrewd observers will have noted Vida swapped with Rio Ferdinand and played on the right side of the central defence in the match with the Magpies' North-East rivals Sunderland, with the skipper revealing it was merely a tactical switch from Sir Alex. "Sometimes the manager wants to try new things or make a tactical change," he added. "As he did against Sunderland. It's no problem for me to play on the right or for Rio to play on the left. We can cope either way. The boss had a reason why he wanted Rio and I to swap against Sunderland and it worked well." More: Boss' respect for Pardew | Sir Alex praises Berbatov |
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FORMER RED: UNITED ARE WELL PLACED Ex-United striker Andy Ritchie feels the champions are in a handy position in the Barclays Premier League table and are capable of cutting Manchester City's lead down to two points with victory against Newcastle on Saturday. "Newcastle have been the surprise package this season," he told Red View. "They had a big test away at City last weekend - a game they lost - and face another on Saturday at Old Trafford. That's two really tough away games back-to-back. "Ultimately, I don't think they will end up in the top four come May - I saw Alan Pardew saying a similar thing last weekend at his press conference. He's being realistic in that sense, but credit to them because they've taken the league by storm and done very well. They don't particularly have a real stand-out player - they've done very well as a unit this season. "As for United, I think we've been workmanlike in our approach to games in recent weeks. I'm sure that's come from the manager with regard to wanting us to defend better. It's maybe taken away a little bit of our cavalier attacking attitude, but results are what you want and we've been getting them in the league. "When you look at the league and consider the fact we've played all the top teams, I think we're in a great position. We've had a tough start, whereas City have got a lot of the big sides to come - that will be the real test for them. I think the manager will be looking at our next half a dozen games and I think we're more than capable of taking maximum points from them and that would set us up nicely for the New Year." More: Chicharito braced for Basel | Blog: Nani is Reds' spark |
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FLETCHER ANSWERS THE FANS Darren Fletcher fields questions posted on the Talking Reds (TR) message board and United's official Facebook page... If you could magically enhance one aspect of your game, what would it be and why? - Sir Kones (TR alias)
Goalscoring. To be able to score at will would be a great attribute to have. Who's the best midfielder you've played against based on technique and skill? - Kevin Ashford
Obviously the lads at Barcelona are fantastic and the likes of Modric, Lampard, Gerrard and Charlie Adam stand out as well, but I'd have to say Scholesy. He was the one I had to deal with in training for many years and he blew you away every day. What were you and the other players laughing at when the Sir Alex Ferguson stand was unveiled? - Dave Smith
[Laughs] Me, Rio and Wayne were laughing at the fact that the manager clearly didn't know about it and we were wondering who was going to bear the brunt of that afterwards! It's an incredible honour and thoroughly deserved. Are you hopeful your twins will emulate the Da Silvas and play for United? - mwehaaki cap (TR alias)
I'd be the proudest dad in the world if that happened. My boys already love watching and playing football. I've seen how close the Da Silvas are and if one isn't playing they still care so much about their brother doing well even though they're competing for the same position sometimes. The camaraderie and closeness between them is fantastic. If my twins could experience that I'd be very happy. More: Fletcher - United is my home | Fletcher keeps cool |
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