Ferguson upbeat as United end empty-handed
Reuters - Sunday 13 May 2012, 20:45
Sir Alex Ferguson remained defiantly
upbeat after a 20th English title was snatched from Manchester
United's clutches on Sunday but when the dust settles on a
dramatic season the wily Scot will ponder long on where it went
wrong.
He talked up the experience gained by new signings such as
Phil Jones and Ashley Young, whose first title chase ended in
bitter disappointment as they lost out on goal difference to
Manchester City despite ending with a very healthy 89 points.
Ferguson can also point to injuries and illness to key
players, particularly leading central defender Nemanja Vidic and
midfield workhorse Darren Fletcher.
"We take great credit from the fact that we have had so many
injuries this season and we've coped with that very well. They
are only young players, it was excellent for them," Ferguson
said on Sunday, offering a silver lining to the club's fans who
have no trophy to celebrate for the first time since 2005.
"They've experienced what has happened today and they'll be
around in five, six or 10 years time for Manchester United. The
experience is good for them, even if it's a bad one."
"I would like to say on behalf of Manchester United,
congratulations to our neighbours," he added.
"It is a fantastic achievement to win the Premier League,
it's not easy to win, it's the hardest league in the world and
anyone that wins it deserves it.
"It was a cruel way but we've experienced many ups and downs
in the 25 years that I've been here and most of them have been
great moments. We have won the league three times in the last
five seasons and we nearly did it again today.
"I'm pleased with their performance this season. With 89
points, it would have been good enough to win most leagues."
CLOSING WEEKS
Despite his buoyant mood after stoppage-time goals by Edin
Dzeko and Sergio Aguero earned City a 3-2 win over QPR that
rendered United's 1-0 victory at Sunderland worthless, Ferguson
will wonder how his side, traditionally so adept at closing out
titles, squandered an eight-point lead in the closing weeks.
A 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic, the first ever for United at
the humble north-west club, offered hope to a City side who had
themselves let slip a big lead after a post-Christmas slump that
looked to have scuppered their chances of a first championship
since 1968.
A 4-4 draw at home to Everton, despite leading 4-2 with
seven minutes left, smacked of carelessness and while Ferguson
blamed poor defending, the fingers were pointed at him as United
lost 1-0 at City on April 30.
United were strangely negative that day, seemingly set on
defending a three-point lead rather than chasing the victory
that would virtually have sealed the title.
It was a defeat that took matters out of United's hands and
while they finished with wins over Swansea City and Sunderland,
City's stoppage time 3-2 victory over QPR left United
empty-handed.
While Wayne Rooney's 27 goals under-pinned United's assault
on the title, the England striker lacked support at times with
Mexican Javier Hernandez, so lethal las year, the only other
player to reach double figures in the league with 10.
A lack of creativity in central midfield area was also a
concern with veteran Paul Scholes coming out of retirement in
January to provide guile.
At the back Rio Ferdinand's battle scars began to catch up
with him while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are still works in
progress, albeit highly-rated ones.
While United will lick their wounds, it is not all doom and
gloom. Ferguson will be scouring the transfer market and with a
couple of tweaks, will be ready to do battle with City again.
"We don't need to worry about that [City]," he said. "I
think we have a rich history, better than anyone, and it will
take them a century to get to our level of history.
"But for us it's still a challenge and we're good at
challenges. We'll kick on from here."