We know what it takes! Ferdinand believes experienced United have edge in title race
By Chris Wheeler
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In command: Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United have the experience to shut out the City title bid
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand has warned Manchester City that his side have the nerve and experience to hold onto their advantage and beat their rivals to the Barclays Premier League title.
United went three points clear at the top of the table by winning 1-0 against Fulham at Old Trafford on Monday night, two days after City were held to a draw at Stoke.
It was a far from convincing performance by Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, who also had to survive a late penalty scare, but Ferdinand insists that keeping cool when the pressure is on has given United the edge over their title rivals many times over the years.
‘It happens every year and at this stage of the season we know what it takes,’ said Ferdinand. ‘We’ve got comfort in the knowledge that we can create chances and remain calm.
‘The crowd got a bit edgy at the end of the game, understandably. But if it’s 0-0 after 88 minutes we still know we’re going to create chances in the dying moments to win games. It’s important to keep that in mind.
‘You’ve got to hold your nerve but as important as that, if not more important, is trusting each other.
‘You’ve got to trust in the fact that if you’re not going to create a chance, someone else is.
‘If you’re not going to put your head on the ball when it comesinto the box or make that tackle, someone else is.
‘That’s the way you’ve got to be, and the team that does that best betweennow and the end of the season will be the one to win the league.’
Unstuck at Stoke: Are City cracking under the title pressure?
Although both clubs insist they will not be distracted by the other’s results, Ferdinand admitted that seeing referee Michael Oliver turn down a strong penalty appeal from Fulham for Michael Carrick’s challenge on Danny Murphy in the dying seconds could prey on City’s minds.
He recalled a game at West Ham in December 2006 when Chelsea come back to win 3-2 against Everton, and a deflated United were beaten at Upton Park – even though they went on to win the title.
‘I’ve been in that position before,’ said Ferdinand. ‘I remember playing at West Ham a few years ago when we went out for the warm-up.
‘Everton were winning 2-1 against Chelsea and when we came in we found out it had been reversed. Chelsea won the game and it killed us a little bit. We ended up losing to West Ham that time so, yeah, psychologically it can affect teams.
‘But we don’t care what happens with them, it’s about us. If we remain calm and win all our games, we’ll be successful.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2121258/Rio-Ferdinand-says-Manchester-United-title-race-experience-vital.html#ixzz1qMKbxthA
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