FERGUSON PLOTS EURO GLORY (he'll have to go thru us to get it though 
)
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has set his Barclays Premiership champions the task of conquering Europe next season.
After four years without the league title, Ferguson’s players were able to celebrate their success in style at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Neither torrential rain nor a home defeat to West Ham United could dampen the euphoria among the Red Devils, who ended a four-year Barclays Premiership drought by eventually finishing six points clear of main rivals Chelsea.
Although Ferguson expects Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal to strengthen their squads during the summer, he is busy formulating his own plans.
And given the youth element within his current charges, and the knowledge his experienced men are good for a few years yet, Ferguson can see no reason why his ninth championship triumph should not trigger another dynasty.
“When we first won the title in 1993, it opened a door for us,” said Ferguson.
“We won the double the following year and there is no question in my mind these players are capable of winning the championship next season too.
“They know what it is all about now.
“They have showed they have the nerve and I am sure they are going to get better, so let’s get on with it.
“I am looking forward to next year. I am looking forward to seeing this team develop and mature and go to win a European trophy along with the Premier League.”
Ferguson claims to have informed chief executive David Gill of three potential summer recruits.
But, above all, Ferguson himself is committed to remaining at Old Trafford barely 18 months after his own position appeared under threat.
“I am very fortunate,” he said.
“I am working at the right club. It has a marvellous history and a marvellous philosophy in terms of the way we play the game and I am delighted to be here.”
Ferguson expects Chelsea to be United’s main challengers next term, which is why so much emphasis is being placed on Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley.
Of Sunday's starting line-up, only six are likely to retain their places and one of those, Wes Brown, is dependent on Gary Neville not recovering from a long-standing ankle problem which has kept him on the sidelines since the middle of March.
Ferguson has vowed to afford his captain every opportunity of being fit although, given Neville is yet to start proper football training, the odds are against him making it.
Nevertheless, such is his enthusiasm for his club that Neville donned his customary number two shirt to join in the presentation ceremony on Sunday, lifting his first championship trophy as skipper accompanied by nine-time winner Ryan Giggs.
“There were times in the last three years when we have felt really low,” the full-back said.
“We probably weren’t consistent enough to win it and didn’t deserve to be champions.
“This year we do and it is important to savour the moment. The focus at United is to move on and think about winning the FA Cup final next week to make it a really special season.”
Neville’s statement is the hallmark of life at United under Ferguson.
No-one epitomises that winning mentality more than Giggs, who has already eclipsed Phil Neal and Alan Hansen’s previous record haul of eight league championships.
If victorious at Wembley, the winger will become the first player in well over a century to win the FA Cup five times.
“We are all proud of Ryan,” said Ferguson.
“When we were in the tunnel yesterday waiting for the presentation, the players were chanting ‘that boy Giggs has got nine’.
“Hopefully he gets 10. That would be a landmark.
“When you look at the way he has dedicated himself to one club, how he has looked after himself and the aptitude he has shown for the game, he is a fantastic example for any young player in the world.”
Big Nosed ******
)Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has set his Barclays Premiership champions the task of conquering Europe next season.
After four years without the league title, Ferguson’s players were able to celebrate their success in style at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Neither torrential rain nor a home defeat to West Ham United could dampen the euphoria among the Red Devils, who ended a four-year Barclays Premiership drought by eventually finishing six points clear of main rivals Chelsea.
Although Ferguson expects Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal to strengthen their squads during the summer, he is busy formulating his own plans.
And given the youth element within his current charges, and the knowledge his experienced men are good for a few years yet, Ferguson can see no reason why his ninth championship triumph should not trigger another dynasty.
“When we first won the title in 1993, it opened a door for us,” said Ferguson.
“We won the double the following year and there is no question in my mind these players are capable of winning the championship next season too.
“They know what it is all about now.
“They have showed they have the nerve and I am sure they are going to get better, so let’s get on with it.
“I am looking forward to next year. I am looking forward to seeing this team develop and mature and go to win a European trophy along with the Premier League.”
Ferguson claims to have informed chief executive David Gill of three potential summer recruits.
But, above all, Ferguson himself is committed to remaining at Old Trafford barely 18 months after his own position appeared under threat.
“I am very fortunate,” he said.
“I am working at the right club. It has a marvellous history and a marvellous philosophy in terms of the way we play the game and I am delighted to be here.”
Ferguson expects Chelsea to be United’s main challengers next term, which is why so much emphasis is being placed on Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley.
Of Sunday's starting line-up, only six are likely to retain their places and one of those, Wes Brown, is dependent on Gary Neville not recovering from a long-standing ankle problem which has kept him on the sidelines since the middle of March.
Ferguson has vowed to afford his captain every opportunity of being fit although, given Neville is yet to start proper football training, the odds are against him making it.
Nevertheless, such is his enthusiasm for his club that Neville donned his customary number two shirt to join in the presentation ceremony on Sunday, lifting his first championship trophy as skipper accompanied by nine-time winner Ryan Giggs.
“There were times in the last three years when we have felt really low,” the full-back said.
“We probably weren’t consistent enough to win it and didn’t deserve to be champions.
“This year we do and it is important to savour the moment. The focus at United is to move on and think about winning the FA Cup final next week to make it a really special season.”
Neville’s statement is the hallmark of life at United under Ferguson.
No-one epitomises that winning mentality more than Giggs, who has already eclipsed Phil Neal and Alan Hansen’s previous record haul of eight league championships.
If victorious at Wembley, the winger will become the first player in well over a century to win the FA Cup five times.
“We are all proud of Ryan,” said Ferguson.
“When we were in the tunnel yesterday waiting for the presentation, the players were chanting ‘that boy Giggs has got nine’.
“Hopefully he gets 10. That would be a landmark.
“When you look at the way he has dedicated himself to one club, how he has looked after himself and the aptitude he has shown for the game, he is a fantastic example for any young player in the world.”
Big Nosed ******
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