Fergie - No time for slacking

United boss fires out warning to players ahead of season

Last updated: 2nd August 2008

Fergie - No time for slacking

Ferguson: Warning for players

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Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his Manchester United squad not to rest on their laurels this season.

United head into the new campaign in search of a hat-trick of Premier League titles and as champions of Europe.

Ferguson is aware of the difficulties in defending the two honours and is eager to assess the hunger of his players.

And the long-serving Scot has vowed that any United players not up for the fight will be quickly shipped out of Old Trafford.

Bus moves on

"If success has gone to anyone's head and they show signs they are ready to rest on their laurels, they will soon be on their way," said Ferguson in the club's official yearbook.

"Soon I will look into the eyes of my players to make sure they have retained the hunger they need to succeed. Then we will look forward.

"If I don't see the appetite and ambition, then the bus moves on without anyone who has lost the spark.

"We cannot afford to slacken.

"The Premier League has never been so competitive and it is difficult to defend a European championship.

"But we have a group of players good enough to do it and we have the right back-up in terms of a strong squad."