Two bruising encounters inside four days held the propensity to leave their mark on Manchester United; the concern being more of the abstract than physical, despite the aggressive approach displayed by Stoke City and West Ham United. Yet, with four points secured in the past week against anything but passive opponents, Sir Alex Ferguson has every reason to feel pleased with his team’s work. Pretty United’s form is not, but it is championship-winning stuff.
Ferguson’s side should take another step towards Premier League glory with victory over Aston Villa on Monday night, although United’s inclination for ‘doing it the hard way’ ensures that there could yet be more drama to come this season. This shouldn’t be the case against relegation-threatened Villa, but in hubris there is always danger.
Still, while United’s performance at West Ham was, in keeping with a recent theme, somewhat underwhelming, Ferguson had little but praise for his players. Little wonder the encomium; in a brutal encounter, the Scot’s team stood up to the physical challenge, and twice came from behind to earn a crucial point.
“The team were fantastic the other night in terms of standing,” said Ferguson, whose team could yet seal the title against Villa on Monday.
“It’s the type of game you get with Big Sam’s teams. We had to deal with it and I think a point was well deserved. We maybe could have won it in the last 20 minutes when we had all the play and one or two chances.
“Nonetheless you have to be satisfied coming back after being down twice and getting a point. The last two away games have shown how determined we are to win the league. I’ve admired my team in these games. We’ve done very well.”
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