Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has ominously stated that he believes he has one of the best squads he has ever managed at the club.That only spells bad news for other teams competing at the top of the Premiership this season, with the reigning champions planning to push on to the next level.
The manager is full of confidence ahead of Sunday's Charity Shield encounter with Chelsea and thinks that this year the resources at his disposal mean that the team can challenge to the very end in every competition.
“I believe we have pulled together one of the strongest squads it has ever been my pleasure to manage at Old Trafford,” he said.
“We have good depth, not only in numbers, but in quality. We also have a balance of experience and youth.
“I like the mix of players we have developed ourselves and those who have joined us from around the world.
“Football is a global game these days and you can see this reflected in our pool of players.
“At the same time, we have still maintained a strong representation of our local talent
along with boys from our flourishing academy.”
His confidence and good cheer may have been prompted by the prospect of an imminent conclusion to the Carlos Tevez affair. When Tevez does finally arrive at Old Trafford, Ferguson believes that his summer work is done.
“Owen Hargreavers, Nani, Anderson and now Carlos Tevez will give us a really strong squad.”
“That will allow us to cope with competing in the Premier League, the Champions League, and of course the FA and Carling Cups.
“Last year we had a bad run of injuries in the final part of the season that left us short to handle all the competitions we were in.
“In the circumstances, we did well to win the title, but I was left feeling that with just a few more players we might have reached the European final and perhaps won the FA Cup.”
