Paul Scholes is well aware there are a number of potential
banana skins standing between Manchester United and another double
this season.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men need a maximum of seven points from
their remaining four Premier League games to secure the domestic
crown once again with a comprehensive 2-0 win at Middlesbrough on
Saturday.
They did so without having to call upon Cristiano Ronaldo and
Anderson at the Riverside Stadium, while Carlos Tevez and Nani were
used only as substitutes and Edwin van der Sar, Michael Carrick and
Darren Fletcher were given the day off ahead of Tuesday night’s
decisive European semi-final trip to Arsenal.
However, Scholes, who along with man-of-the-moment Ryan Giggs
left Boro chasing shadows all afternoon, is refusing to rest on his
laurels.
He said: “It’s a great position to be in, but we have tough
games to come.
“[Manchester] City beat us at Old Trafford last season, Arsenal
are always difficult opponents and we also have two tough away
games.
“Wigan is a difficult place to go – they are a tough attacking
team – and Hull are fighting for their lives.
“We are not quite there yet. There is a long way to go.”
Ferguson echoed those sentiments as he turned his attention to
Tuesday’s Champions League trip to the Emirates, and beyond.
The Scot said: “As I keep saying, we have to concentrate on what
we have to do. We have to approach each game in the right way.
“There was no messing about today. It was a good professional
performance.”
That reflection was something of an understatement after a game
in which United cruised to victory against a Boro side which, by
the admission of manager Gareth Southgate, could effectively be
relegated by defeat at Newcastle next Monday night.
Game as they were, the Teessiders were never able to get to
grips with the visitors, who were able to play within themselves
throughout.
From the moment Giggs, with his 148th goal for the club in his
801st appearance, fired them into a 25th-minute lead, there was no
question as to where the points would end up.
The only surprise was that Park Ji-Sung’s 51st-minute strike
completed the scoring as United eased their way six points clear at
the top of the table on Saturday evening to throw down the gauntlet
to second-placed Liverpool.
Ferguson said: “Once we got in front, I wasn’t confident but I
felt we would be difficult to beat.
“We improved our game in the second-half. The second goal killed
it and we could have scored more.”
United left the Riverside with planning for their showdown in
North London already well under way.
John O’Shea’s lone strike at Old Trafford last Wednesday sends
them into the game with the narrowest of leads, but one they are
confident they can defend.
Scholes said: “We are in a decent position. They did not get an
away goal.
“We are a team who always feels they can score goals. Hopefully
we can do that on Tuesday and go through to the final.”
Central defender Rio Ferdinand missed the trip to Boro with a
rib injury, but is yet to be ruled out, while full-back Patrice
Evra is expected to shake off a knock he picked up on Saturday.
In addition, the changes Ferguson was able to make in the
north-east have left him with fresh legs and a series of
options.
He said: “The midfield worked so hard against Arsenal on
Wednesday, I wanted to rest them all.
“I put Anderson on the bench because he has not had as much
football as Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher.
“They have had a good rest and will be fresh for Tuesday – if I
decide to play them all.
“We are in a good position. There is no question about that. We
just have to go and enjoy it. We have to express ourselves the way
we did today.”