Fergie: Thursday nights in danger of wrecking our title hopes
Published 22:27 10/03/12 By Derick Allsop
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits his team have been thrown into turmoil by the Thursday-Sunday playing routine imposed by demotion to the continent’s lesser competition.
United’s 3-2 defeat by Athletic Bilbao was their second in a row at home in the Europa League and presents them with a huge task when the clubs meet again for the second leg in four days. But more alarming for Ferguson is the danger that United could pay an even heavier price for their elimination from the Champions League.
They go into today’s match against West Brom at Old Trafford knowing they dare not drop points in their title race duel with rivals Manchester City.And Ferguson concedes he has the responsibility of lifting players disorientated and demoralised by their latest European misadventure.
“We don’t know why it is, but it seems that way. We are not used to it, obviously, and to marry the two together we need a big squad of players.”
Injuries have depleted Ferguson’s squad over the winter and he was reluctant to play key central defender Rio Ferdinand three days before the West Brom fixture.
This torrid experience may force him to reinforce his squad in the summer, but for the rest of this season he must rely on the resources he has.
Ferguson insists for public consumption that he is committed to the Europa League and has faith in his players to reach the quarter finals.
But reading between the lines, you sense a single-minded approach to the title run-in could be a decisive element. Ferguson acknowledges: “Maybe a factor will be the progress of United and City in the Europa League. That may have a lot to do with it. I’m going to have to think about my team for West Brom, if we want to go through in the Europa League.
“I think we can win the game on Thursday, but will it be enough? A 2-1 win would not be enough. We have to score three goals or win 2-0.
“It definitely looks like the title is a two-horse race and I don’t think either of us is going to drop a lot of points, but points will be dropped and if we were to drop points it would be crucial – for either team.”
Albion spoiled United’s otherwise perfect home record last season with a 2-2 draw and Roy Hodgson brings a side in ominous form to Old Trafford.
Ferguson said: “They were the only team who took points off us last season.
“Our defending let us down after we had led 2-0 and we missed chances. We showed again against Bilbao that we can create chances.
“Roy’s got the experience and that helps. His career has been fantastic. He’s enjoying himself after Liverpool, which was a bad experience and a bit unfair, but he can handle it.
“They’ve won three in a row and are in their best form of the season. They beat Chelsea and scored five at Wolverhampton, so it’s not going to be an easy game for us.”
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