Fergie - Villa can make 4th

United boss eyes threat from O'Neill's side

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 30th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fergie - Villa can make 4th

Ferguson: Can see O'Neills side challenging

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says the only team he can realistically see challenging for a place in the top four will be Aston Villa.

Martin O'Neill's men defeated Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday to slip into the top four for the first time this season.

He said: "I do not see anyone else breaking in, other than Aston Villa. It is possible they might do it - but no-one else."

Ferguson was less complimentary about his own side. United comfortably defeated West Ham United at Old Trafford with two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, but Fergie was left disappointed with his side's performance.

"I was ready for more of the same. I felt we were going to add to our goal tally, which could be important at the end of the season, but we didn't capitalise."

The Scot did manage to praise striker Dimitar Berbatov after the Bulgarian's sublime piece of skill on the by-line to set Ronaldo up for his second goal.

He added: "Dimitar's play for the second goal was absolutely magnificent. You would pay a lot of money to watch that. He has such fantastic control and balance. It was truly marvellous."