Football: United want another title - Fergie.
SIR Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United have rediscovered the focus that can turn them back into champions again.After a decade of glory, last year's shocking capitulation left the Old Trafford chief to speculate that the hunger had gone out of his team.
Those fears have consistently been echoed by skipper Roy Keane, who on the eve of a new campaign has again questioned the desire of a team who have won every honour in the game. But, two days before United serve their penance for a dismal third-place finish last term and head to Hungary for an unwanted Champions League qualifier, Ferguson can feel the spark returning.
``There is a desire among the squad to make amends for last season,'' the United boss said, after seeing a Ruud van Nistelrooy brace earn a 2-0 win over Boca Juniors.
``That's very important because when they are focused, they are very difficult to beat.'' Ferguson's planning will almost certainly not involve pounds 30m Rio Ferdinand, who limped out of his Old Trafford debut after just 25 minutes.
The world's most expensive defender sprained his ankle after landing awkwardly as he jumped to avoid the on-rushing Roy Carroll and the immediate worry was that he might have sustained ligament damage. The former Leeds player was unable to put any weight on his foot as he was helped off but those initial concerns do appear to have been calmed, although Ferguson admits his newest recruit faces a race against time to make Saturday's Premier League opener against newlypromoted West Brom.
``It doesn't look like Rio will make Wednesday, but we will do everything we can to get him right for Saturday,'' said the Scot.
French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is another doubt, having sat out his third successive game with a thigh muscle injury.
CAPTION(S):
INJURY WORRY Rio Ferdinand is helped off.
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
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| Publication: | South Wales Echo (Cardiff, Wales) |
| Date: | Aug 12, 2002 |
| Words: | 309 |
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