Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he still gets nervous before big matches after 24 years in charge.
United boss predicts final day showdown for the title
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he still gets nervous before big matches at the end of the season, even after 24 years in charge at Old Trafford.
In his time in charge Ferguson has guided United to 11 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two Champions League crowns and a host of other trophies in his glittering managerial career.
However, the United boss admits he still gets pre-match nerves before games as the season reaches what he once famously referred to as "squeaky bum time".
Ferguson said: "You still get keyed up for games. It is part of it.
"It tells you that you still care about the game. Managers are subject to that more than anyone, that uncertainty and anxiety and apprehension about every game simply because the result is important.
"Whether you are top of the league or bottom of the league it is what football does to you. If it wasn't that way then we are all in the wrong job.
"It is the win, lose, draw situation. You aim to win. You can't lose too many or you lose your job. There is no one in the game directly responsible for results more than the manager.
"No matter what way you look at it we are all subject to winning games of football and if not then we are on the dole."
Target
Ferguson said he will be content if United arrive at the end of the season needing victory against Stoke at Old Trafford to secure the title. Chelsea and Arsenal are also both at home, to Wigan and Fulham respectively.
"With the three of us at home on the last day, if we have to win our home game I would be quite happy about that, and the other two will be saying the same thing.
"I am trying to work out the run-ins and what the eventuality is going to be and I cannot see anything other than it possibly going to the last game, unless somebody blows up."
Bemused
Ferguson also expressed his bemusement that Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen should have had his appeal against a sending-off rejected with no extra punishment, while Rio Ferdinand was given an extra match ban for a "frivolous" appeal.
"It is so inconsistent," said the United manager.
"It is difficult to analyse why Rio's was frivolous and that (Vermaelen) wasn't. I can't answer it, only they [the FA] can answer it.
"They don't come out with a report do they, it's just sitting in the chambers of their minds."
