Sir Alex sets 2008 blueprint
United have kicked off 2008 with two victories in two competitions,
which fits in with Sir Alex Fergusons blueprint for the year as he
looks to challenge on all fronts.
The Reds are currently two points behind league leaders Arsenal,
face an FA Cup fourth round tie with either Tottenham or Reading
and have a Champions League last 16 clash with Lyon looming in
February.
After narrowly missing out on FA Cup glory last season and just
running out of steam in the Champions League semi final against AC
Milan, Sir Alex thinks the current squad has the quality in depth
and experience to go a step further.
I am looking for success in Europe as well as at home, he says.
We have the players and the back-up to do it.
We are a more mature team this season in terms of European
football and we have played some successful and entertaining
stuff.
Weve lost a couple of games in the league but our consistency
overall has been very good. We are with the leaders in the league
and we are through to the knockout stages of the Champions League
and ready for the exciting games ahead.
Sir Alex's optimism is fuelled by the cohesion of United's squad,
especially with Carlos Tevez, Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson
adapting quickly to life at Old Trafford.
"The main reason fpr my optimism is the way we have knitted
together as a team, with the new players settling to make the kind
of impact we were not entitled to expect so soon."