Sir Alex Ferguson is keeping his eyes peeled for signs of
fatigue as his Manchester United side kick off seven games in 28
days against Arsenal today. And the United boss is likely to become
a regular rotator, with Carlos Tevez approaching burn-out and Owen
Hargreaves contemplating a summer operation to try to cure a
long-standing knee problem.
Ferguson has pledged to use his full squad on his mission to win
the Premier League-Champions League Double for the first time since
1999. He has set his players the target of winning their next two
league games so they can clinch the title at Chelsea on April 26, a
match that is sandwiched between two epic Champions League
semi-final encounters with Barcelona.
'My eyes will tell me which players I need to rest and which
ones are fresh,' said Ferguson. 'I have to use common sense with
the fixtures coming up so I can pick the right teams. 'Freshness is
so important. Last season we didn't have enough to compete for both
big trophies, but having Tevez, Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson has
changed that. Having a strong squad helps us and Chelsea, which is
why we're both challenging in the league and in Europe.'
Ferguson will welcome back Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and
Paul Scholes — all rested against Roma — as they try to extend
their lead at the top to six points, with Chelsea playing tomorrow.
But it is unlikely 18-goal Tevez or Hargreaves will be asked to
play twice in the same week at this stage of the season. Tevez,
whose last two summers have been interrupted by playing in the
World Cup and then Copa America, said: 'I want to have at least 20
days of peace and quiet with my family, without doing anything. My
body needs a rest.'
Meanwhile, Hargreaves — outstanding in the Champions League win
on Tuesday — is considering going under the knife because of
tendinitis in the knee. United decided earlier in the season that
Hargreaves would not have an operation, but England's failure to
qualify for Euro 2008 gives him the opportunity this summer.
A source said: 'Owen finds it hard to train 100 per cent. He is
certainly better than at the start of the season when he couldn't
train at all, but an operation is one option that will be
considered.'
Ferguson believes he has the strongest squad available in his 22
years at the club and is targeting victories against Arsenal and
Blackburn so United can then win the league by beating Chelsea at
Stamford Bridge. That would also provide revenge for 2006, when
Chelsea became champions by beating United 3-0 on the day Wayne
Rooney broke his metatarsal.
Nemanja Vidic misses today's game with a knee injury, giving
young Spaniard Gerard Pique another chance to shine.
