Sir Alex Ferguson insists his Manchester United stars will have no problem getting the point they need to clinch the club’s record 19th league title.
Ferguson’s team have one hand on the Premier League trophy after beating their closest rivals Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday and a draw in either of their final two matches against Blackburn and Blackpool will allow them to pass Liverpool as the most successful club in English football.
Both Blackburn and Blackpool will be desperate to beat United to boost their respective battles against relegation.
But it would take a collapse of Devon Loch proportions for United to blow the title now and Ferguson dismissed any chance of his side emulating the famous finishing-straight stumble by the horse in the 1956 Grand National.
“Don’t even mention Devon Loch. My dad backed that horse. Knowing the players they won’t muck it up. They’ll get their point,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.
“I would be surprised if we didn’t win it now. We only need one point from the last two games and the last game is at home.
“If you would have said to me at the start of the season we would be in that position I would have snapped your hand off.
“Blackburn and Blackpool are great football clubs and we want to make sure we don’t underestimate them because we have come to far to do that.
“But it’s fantastic to be the team with the most championship victories in the country. It’s an incredible achievement.”
‘A great start’
United knew a victory over second placed Chelsea would open up a six-point gap on the reigning champions and effectively seal the title.
They blew Chelsea away with a superb first half display that featured a goal from Javier Hernandez in 37 seconds and Nemanja Vidic’s 23rd minute header.
Ferguson added: “We could have scored six in the second half, we had so many chances.
“I thought we were brilliant. We got a great start, we did really well. It was a good team performance. When they scored there was a bit of nerves about but the fans helped us a lot in the last bit.
“Credit to the players, they deserved it and hopefully they get their point now.”
Ferguson celebrated the victory with an extravagant bow to the United fans as he walked off the pitch and he believes his decision to rest several of his key players for the Champions League semifinal second leg against Schalke had a major influence on the result.
“Yes, that won us the title,” he said. “To take the brave decision to play a different team on Wednesday gave our players the energy to go for it.
“They put in some work today, they were fantastic, so I’m pleased with that decision.”
‘Absolutely marvellous’
United’s veteran winger Ryan Giggs won the man of the match award for another influential performance, which included the cross for Vidic’s goal.
“He was absolutely marvellous, what can you say about him?” Ferguson said. “We will be saying it next year and maybe the year after as well. You never know how long he will play because he has that fitness.”
Ferguson also saluted Javier Hernandez as the Mexican striker continued his impressive first season in English football with his 20th goal of the campaign.
“He’s a real threat and such a keen lad to learn the game,” Ferguson added. “He’s very receptive to information. He’s deserved everything he’s got this year.
“When he came we thought we would have to give him a year, but he’s beat all the challenges.” — AFP