Football: 'Fearless youth give Fergie no choice'
United aim to continue unbeaten Premiership run.
MANCHESTER:
Michael Carrick says the fearless approach of Manchester United’s youngsters has left Sir Alex Ferguson with little choice but to discard the old guard.
The Manchester United manager has been left spoilt for choice following the emergence of the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck this season.
It has meant the likes of Michael Owen, who scored twice in a midweek League Cup win at Leeds, along with Dimitar Berbatov and Carrick have been forced to play second fiddle at the start of the season.
Ferguson could turn to his old heads when they face Stoke City today, in a match that will test his side’s 100 per cent start to the Premier League season.
However, Carrick says there can be no complaints if the fresher faces at Old Trafford are given the vote of confidence once again at the Britannia Stadium.
“These young lads are enjoying themselves,” said 30-year-old England midfielder Carrick. “They have got an opportunity they possibly didn’t think would come so soon. Now they have the chance, they want to make the most of it.”
United, who have already scored 21 league goals this season, have won on every trip to Stoke since their promotion back to the top-flight in 2008.
But Patrice Evra claims the champions will get punished in the Potteries if they defend as poorly as they did against Chelsea.
“Maybe I am being hard on myself but it is the first time we didn’t control the game,” he said. “If we want to win the league we will have to perform better than that for sure.”
Despite the youthful exuberance, Rio Ferdinand is in line to be thrown straight back in after overcoming a calf strain.
“I’m hoping Rio will be okay,” revealed Ferguson. “When you go to Stoke you need a bit of experience.
Title race not over, insists Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to concede defeat in the Premier League title race but admitted he was ‘worried’ by Manchester United’s blistering start to the season.
Wenger is currently battling the most challenging period of his 15-year stint at Arsenal, with the Gunners languishing fourth from bottom after taking just four points from five games.
The Londoners are now a massive 11 points behind leaders Manchester United, who have a 100 per cent record after five matches, which included a crushing 8-2 win over Arsenal last month.
However, Wenger insists it is too early for any side to be written off despite United’s ominous form.
“Of course I am worried,” said the Frenchman ahead of today’s game against Bolton. “It is absolutely not realistic not to be worried when you have a team like United in front of you.
“The only thing we can do is focus on our performances, win our games and hope they will drop some points at some stage.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 24th, 2011.
Michael Carrick says the fearless approach of Manchester United’s youngsters has left Sir Alex Ferguson with little choice but to discard the old guard.
The Manchester United manager has been left spoilt for choice following the emergence of the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck this season.
It has meant the likes of Michael Owen, who scored twice in a midweek League Cup win at Leeds, along with Dimitar Berbatov and Carrick have been forced to play second fiddle at the start of the season.
Ferguson could turn to his old heads when they face Stoke City today, in a match that will test his side’s 100 per cent start to the Premier League season.
However, Carrick says there can be no complaints if the fresher faces at Old Trafford are given the vote of confidence once again at the Britannia Stadium.
“These young lads are enjoying themselves,” said 30-year-old England midfielder Carrick. “They have got an opportunity they possibly didn’t think would come so soon. Now they have the chance, they want to make the most of it.”
United, who have already scored 21 league goals this season, have won on every trip to Stoke since their promotion back to the top-flight in 2008.
But Patrice Evra claims the champions will get punished in the Potteries if they defend as poorly as they did against Chelsea.
“Maybe I am being hard on myself but it is the first time we didn’t control the game,” he said. “If we want to win the league we will have to perform better than that for sure.”
Despite the youthful exuberance, Rio Ferdinand is in line to be thrown straight back in after overcoming a calf strain.
“I’m hoping Rio will be okay,” revealed Ferguson. “When you go to Stoke you need a bit of experience.
Title race not over, insists Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to concede defeat in the Premier League title race but admitted he was ‘worried’ by Manchester United’s blistering start to the season.
Wenger is currently battling the most challenging period of his 15-year stint at Arsenal, with the Gunners languishing fourth from bottom after taking just four points from five games.
The Londoners are now a massive 11 points behind leaders Manchester United, who have a 100 per cent record after five matches, which included a crushing 8-2 win over Arsenal last month.
However, Wenger insists it is too early for any side to be written off despite United’s ominous form.
“Of course I am worried,” said the Frenchman ahead of today’s game against Bolton. “It is absolutely not realistic not to be worried when you have a team like United in front of you.
“The only thing we can do is focus on our performances, win our games and hope they will drop some points at some stage.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 24th, 2011.