In an interview with ESPN, Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed United can still win the Premier League.
The Old Trafford legend cites the inconsistency of the Premier League this season, claiming it could play into anyone’s hands. Ferguson even joked about the form Leicester City were in, who have impressed under new manager Claudio Ranieri.
The Scotsman, who was in New York to promote the release of his new book Leading said: “It’s that kind of league, anyone can win it now. Leicester are the most consistent — they’ve only lost one game. If we get to New Year up near the top, we’ll have a good chance.”
United currently sit third in the table after an inconsistent start to the season, typified by the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on their last outing. However, Alex Ferguson’s great United teams were famed for playing their best football after Christmas and he is hoping Louis van Gaal’s men have that same character.
“[Van Gaal has] certainly made a lot of changes and he’s bought (six) new players this year and, I think, five or six new players the year before,” said Ferguson. “That takes time and it’s not easy. Coming to Manchester United, you do need time. In my time, there was maybe Dwight Yorke who gave an immediate response — he was fantastic from day one. They are not always like that; he was an exception. It normally takes some time, particularly if they come from abroad, to settle in.”
Ferguson also backed out-of-form striker Wayne Rooney to recover his form. Rooney has scored just once in the league this term and his place in the team has been questioned. However, the former United manager thinks that one goal could be all it take to inspire Rooney’s famous best.
“All the strikers I had, everyone relied on their confidence. When they were scoring they think they can never stop, when they’re not scoring they think they’re never going get a goal, it’s a fact.
“When I was a striker I was the same; my dad used to say make sure you hit the ball, don’t try and pass it in the net. Eric Cantona had it, [Ruud] van Nistelrooy had it, [Andy] Cole had it and then the rich stream comes along again and they’re back to normal.
“I think we’ll have to wait, it’ll happen. [Rooney will] go on a run, don’t worry about that.”
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