SAF On Aston Villa:"They are probably safe but you never know. I expect them, as they showed against Liverpool, to be very determined.
SAF: “Jonny came to us from Belfast when he was 12 or 13, always exceptionally talented but gangly with physical issues growing up. “We had him out on loan with Antwerp and Sunderland and now we are seeing the value of nurturing him. “There is no doubt he has been helped playing alongside the experience of Rio and he is now arguably the best defender in the country.”
Here are the main points from Sir Alex's press conference... "Everbody's fit after last Sunday. Ashley Young got a knock in the second half but I'm hoing he's okay. The only injury we received is Paul Pogba suffered ankle ligament damage in the Reserves on Monday. We think he's out for the season now. "Michael Owen's been training with the first team for about a week now. That's good news. If there's a player who can score an important goal at any stage of the match it's him. When he gets an injury it's never an easy one - it's months rather than weeks. It's unfortunate because he's a fantastic striker. "We want to try and get Michael back. If we get him back and he continues his training he'll be incontention as a sub. He won't be involved on Sunday, though. But for his injuries, who's to say what sort of career he'd have had. "I don't think Anderson will play again this season. There are only four games left and it will be difficult for him. "We hope we can show the same form we showed last Sunday against Aston Villa. It's never an easy game against Everton. Hopefully we can get the result we want."
SAF: about Ashley Young "I've had a word with Ashley - He understands where we are coming from. I hope it makes a difference"
Shame about Pogba and Anderson and it is good to see Ferguson has put Young in his place. We don't want to be seeing any of that fairy falling
Sir Alex Ferguson has pledged that Manchester United will be going for victory in Monday's derby - even though a draw will also be a fabulous result in the context of the title race. The manager wants his players to make amends for conceding a 4-2 lead against Everton last weekend and putting the Old Trafford spectators through the mill. With so much experience in his line-up, he's backing the Reds to take a major step towards a 20th title. "I suppose when the fixture came out, it all pointed to this game," said the boss. "There was an inevitability to it. But we are where we are. Now it's all down to this game. It will be a fantastic atmosphere. "We're smarting from the four goals we gave away last week. We tend to make it hard for ourselves. We subject our supporters to that sort of drama. For years and years, it's been like that. Hopefully, we'll make amends on Monday." Roberto Mancini's attempts to claim United are firmly in the driving seat and his City side only have a small chance of glory do not wash with the vastly-experienced Reds manager. "Roberto wants to take the pressure off his own players," Sir Alex insisted. "It won't affect our approach our attitude to the game. We know the situation we're in. "We're in a better position than Manchester City. We could come out with two results, whereas they have to win. Although you know this club's attitude - we'll be trying to win.
"I think there's enough experience. Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, even Wayne Rooney. Michael Carrick as well. There's enough experience to cope with this situation. "I think the previous encounters this season are irrelevant. We've already met three times but the past is the past. It doesn't matter. It's all down to Monday. "I don't know if you thrive in this sort of situation. I don't know if I'm looking forward to it, but I'm up for it. I'm prepared for it and I think the players are prepared for it." http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...-for-derby-with-manchester-city.aspx?pageNo=2
SAF - We've already met three times but the past is the past. It doesn't matter. It's all down to Monday
SAF - We're smarting from the four goals we gave away last week. we tend to make it hard for ourselves
"Roberto [Mancini] wants to take pressure off his own players. It won't affect our approach or attitude to the game. We know the situation we're in. We're in a better position than Manchester City. We could come out with two results, whereas they have to win. Although you know this club's attitude. We'll be trying to win.
"We have to get used to playing City in important games. The financial support they have means we'll meet them in a lot of big games. Therefore, if we're going to be contesting with them for the league title it will become almost as important as the Liverpool derbies. In fact, this supercedes Liverpool at the moment because they're our direct opponents. We have to focus on the team who can affect our progress in terms of winning the league. "I don't know if you thrive in this sort of situation. I don't know if I'm looking forward to it, but I'm up for it. I'm prepared for it and I think the players are prepared for it."
Fergie: "Doesn't matter what's happened before, who's dropped pts & who hasn't dropped pts. It's really all down to this game
"I don't know if you thrive in this sort of situation. I'm prepared for it and I think the players are prepared for it - SAF
Fergie: "We're smarting from throwing that game away last wk. Our poor supporters have been subjected to that drama for years & years
