Ferguson vows to avoid more Everton agony

Manchester United manager wary of Toffees’ threat.

MANCHESTER:

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has promised there will be no more shocks against Everton when David Moyes’ team head to Old Trafford today.

Moyes’ men fought back from two goals down with eight minutes remaining to snatch a 4-4 draw at United that swung the Premier League title race towards Manchester City in April last season.

They also beat United 1-0 at the start of this season at Goodison Park but, while Ferguson knows his players have every reason to be wary of Everton, he maintains the lessons of last season have been learnt.

“It was anticipating the unexpected and we didn’t do that (in the 1-0 defeat) against Everton,” said Ferguson.

“But we were 4-2 up with eight minutes to go last season and that definitely cost us the league, no question. It won’t happen again. We hope we’re 4-2 with a few minutes to go this time.”

Ferguson once attempted to recruit Moyes as his assistant manager and is full of praise for the work his fellow Scot has done in more than a decade on Merseyside.

Moyes’ current deal expires at the end of this season and Ferguson believes his departure would have a significant impact on a club that has grown used to challenging for a place in the top four.

“I’ve read that his contract is up and that’s obviously a concern for Everton. It would be a blow to them because good quality managers with consistency and perseverance would be a big, big loss.

“They are a difficult opponent. You see the record this year, they’ve lost three and drawn 12 so they’re hard to beat and that’s David style.”

Moyes believes that Everton’s surprise win on the opening weekend of the season provided the catalyst for his team’s impressive challenge for a European place.

“I don’t sit back thinking the 4-4 was a great game — it got us a point, that’s all,” said Moyes. “But we finished last season with a bit of momentum, and the 1-0 win at the start of this one probably set us up. That game gave us a boost again.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2013.