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Sir Alex Ferguson says it was vital United did not fall into the
trap of tripping up after the recent international break.
Last season, as the Reds have done this term, United began the
Premiership campaign with three victories in August. But, after the
early September international break, United drew with Manchester
City and Liverpool, and then lost to Blackburn in September.
Sir Alex was determined not to suffer the same fate this time
around, saying: We are very pleased with the victory, particularly
after the internationals.
Liverpool and Arsenal both dropped points earlier on Saturday, and
Sir Alex says post-international fixtures are a perilous time for
the top clubs.
You see the other results today, and it tells you that teams at
the top can find it hard after the international matches, he said.
The players are away for 14 days and you dont see them or have
time to prepare properly for your next game. The players do come
back with a difference to them and you need to get them
going.
One player who needed no such nudge was Ryan Giggs, who scored his
second winning goal in as many matches following his strike against
Watford last time out.
Ryan will go down as one of the greatest players of all time, Sir
Alex said. The ability has always been there, I think now he is
using his experience and maturity. Thats pleasing for me because
we need players that can do that.
The likes of Giggs will again be crucial for United in midweek,
when Celtic visit Old Trafford in the opening Champions League
fixture of the season.
Sir Alex has called for and is confident of receiving an
improved performance on last season, which saw the Reds crash out
earlier than expected in the group stages.
European football beckons again and we want to improve on last
year, we will improve, the Reds boss added. It will be a much
more mature team this season, and I think you saw that in the final
stages of the match against Tottenham.
We held on for the win and showed good composure and saw the game
out. Youre seeing an increasing maturity about these
players.