One for all, and all for one… it’s a terrible cliché but
nevertheless it does sum up one of the essentials for success in
team sport. The family of Manchester United is under pressure as a
result of all the issues and controversies surrounding the
ownership and financial situation of our club that have been
stirred up in the media.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and to express
their disapproval if they don’t like what they see around them,
just as it has always been the right of fans to let it be known if
they are not happy with the way their team are playing. I’m not
slow to express disapproval myself if there is something I don’t
agree with, even in the boardroom with the directors, but once I
walk out of the meeting I get on with my job as manager of the
team.
Some of our fans are clearly unhappy with the financial position
but we mustn’t allow the situation to become divisive. The danger
as I see it is that we could be presented as being split, which
would be harmful and inaccurate because I believe the vast majority
of United fans are behind us and appreciate the importance of
standing together in support of the team.
I could see our opponents rubbing their hands with glee at the
thought of watching us fall out among ourselves if we don’t all
think carefully about what we are doing. We must not lose our
focus, which from where I stand is about building a strong football
team that will win trophies. That’s what we are about, or at least
should be.
We must remain loyal to the cause of Manchester United. The staff
and players should be quite one-eyed about that and stay true to
the history of the club and all the work done by Sir Matt Busby and
the other managers who have contributed to creating the great club
we have at Old Trafford today.
This is not about stifling criticism; it’s simply a plea to
stand together rather than take action that will damage ourselves
more than anyone else. Manchester United is bigger than me, the
players, the directors, officials, and the fans, and at this
critical stage of our season particularly we need to pull in the
same direction. It would be a shame to lose our concentration now
because I can really see light at the end of the tunnel as we ready
ourselves to push for the championship.
Getting Edwin Van der Sar back last weekend for the Burnley game
was an important moment that I hope will be soon followed by the
return from injury of more of our defenders. Rio Ferdinand is well
on the road to recovery and Nemanja Vidic is not far away. I have
got to say that in their absence Jonny Evans and Wes Brown have
been brilliant but there has been no back-up, other than midfield
players playing out of position.
It is perhaps significant that when we had 14 clean sheets last
season we had a settled back four. That’s what we want again and
when we achieve consistency in defence I’m sure we will get
consistency in results. The way Edwin came back to perform against
Burnley after only five days training speaks volumes for his
professionalism. The Dutchman is becoming one of United’s real
legends. I certainly count myself very fortunate to have worked
with Edwin and Peter Schmeichel, great personalities and two of the
best goalkeepers in the world.
Edwin’s composure under pressure not only helps his own goalkeeping
but the performances of those in front of him. We certainly send
our best wishes to his wife, Ann Marie, and wish her a speedy
recovery from her illness after bravely allowing Edwin to come back
to play for us. Incidentally I must say that restoring Edwin to the
team must not be taken as a reflection on T
games. It was not easy dropping Tomasz but it was the right
thing to do because Edwin’s experience behind a relatively new
centre back pairing is such a big help.
We didn’t find Burnley easy and if they had been able to take their
chances we could easily have been in trouble. We were rather
flattered by the 3-0 win but we will be a bit fresher this
afternoon as we welcome Hull City, a team that will also battle all
the way. Phil Brown’s men picked up a good point at Tottenham last
weekend with their goalkeeper, Boaz Myhill, turning in a brilliant
display.
They dug deep last season when they saved themselves from
relegation on the last day of the season and you can be sure that
they will battle for their lives again today as they scrap to
escape a similar situation this year. We must recognise that, and
as I say, we will need to pull together, both on an off the field,
if we are to mount a title charge.
