By James Pearson Last updated: 23rd February 2008
Ferguson happy with spirit
Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed Manchester United's never-say-die attitude following their late 1-1 draw against Lyon in midweek.
The Red Devils might be playing catch-up on Arsenal in this season's title race, but United have proved they will not be easily beaten with a number of crucial late goals.
Ferguson believes with United's attitude spot-on, the club are giving themselves a better chance of retaining their Premier League crown.
"We have only done in Lyon what we have done for years - we do not give in," said Ferguson.
"It is a quality that will serve us well in the run-in.
"It tells you we have players with desire and commitment. We are very pleased with their attitude."
Meanwhile, Ferguson has also praised the patience of some of his squad's fringe players.
The likes of Louis Saha and Darren Fletcher were unused substitutes at Stade Gerland in midweek and Ferguson has been pleased with their response to disappointment.
"Nobody likes to be substitute but for the things we are chasing we have to make changes in certain games," he continued.
"The bench was strong against Lyon. We could have brought on Saha but felt Tevez was more suited to that type of game.
"We would probably have got a response from Saha as he is desperate to do well and is looking good.
"Some people like Darren Fletcher do not even make the bench. He proved how vital a player he was to us when we beat Arsenal in the FA Cup.
"So they will all play a part as they make a fantastic contribution in training and the way they handle their disappointment."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Wolverhampton vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Hull vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Everton |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Fulham |
| 16:00 | Chelsea vs Man Utd |
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Liverpool vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | Hull vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Everton |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| 16:00 | Stoke vs Portsmouth |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunderland 2 - 2 West Ham | |
| Portsmouth 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Bolton 0 - 4 Chelsea | |
| Stoke 2 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Fulham 3 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Burnley 2 - 0 Hull | |
| Everton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Sunday 25th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Man City 2 - 2 Fulham | |
| Liverpool 2 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Bolton 3 - 2 Everton | |
| Saturday 24th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 5 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Tottenham 0 - 1 Stoke | |
| Birmingham 2 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Hull 0 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Burnley 1 - 3 Wigan | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 11 | 27 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 11 | 25 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 10 | 22 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 10 | 19 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 11 | 19 |
| 6 | Liverpool | 11 | 18 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 11 | 18 |
| 8 | Sunderland | 11 | 17 |
| 9 | Stoke City | 11 | 16 |
| 10 | Burnley | 11 | 15 |
| 11 | Fulham | 10 | 14 |
| 12 | Wigan Athletic | 11 | 13 |
| 13 | Everton | 10 | 12 |
| 14 | Birmingham City | 11 | 11 |
| 15 | Bolton Wanderers | 10 | 11 |
| 16 | West Ham United | 11 | 10 |
| 17 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 11 | 10 |
| 18 | Blackburn Rovers | 10 | 10 |
| 19 | Hull City | 11 | 8 |
| 20 | Portsmouth | 11 | 7 |
With Didier Drogba in frightening form, Paul Merson expects Chelsea to beat Man Utd on Sunday.
Paul Merson fears for Phil Brown - and says Hull couldn't be facing a worse game than home to Stoke.
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has been to Valencia to have a second opinion on his troublesome groin injury.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has granted Chelsea's request to suspend their transfer ban.
Carlo Ancelotti says he will not rush into the transfer market despite the suspension of Chelsea's transfer ban.
Sunderland striker Darren Bent is not expecting a warm welcome when he returns to Tottenham.
Stoke are close to securing the long-term future of defender Ryan Shawcross, Tony Pulis has confirmed.