If we’re top on Jan 1, you’ll be sorry

Posted Saturday, December 22, 2012 by The Sun

ALEX FERGUSON has warned that if Manchester United are still top after the New Year’s Day fixtures, the rest are in trouble.

There is every chance of that as United have a six-point lead and four matches over the festive period — starting with tomorrow’s trip to Swansea.

Add to that the fact the Red Devils invariably crank up the gears in the second half of a season and the signs would be ominous for City and Chelsea.

Fergie said: “We know there are going to be challenges, it could come from Chelsea too, but I think City and ourselves will be battling it out.

“We have every right to expect a challenge. I think that’s what we’re good at.

“That’s why I’m looking at December as an opportunity to gather points and make sure we are top of the league come New Year’s Day.

“And if we are top on New Year’s Day, everyone else knows fine well that we’re going to be in the ballpark at the end of the season.”

United extended their lead to six points with a dramatic 3-2 derby victory at the Etihad courtesy of Robin van Persie’s last-gasp free-kick.

But if Ferguson thought City would buckle after that hammer blow, he was wrong.

Roberto Mancini’s men came back even stronger with a fantastic first-half display at St James’ Park, where they beat Newcastle 3-1.

Ferguson noted: “Absolutely, it was great. It’s a wake-up call for us too. I thought for the first 20 minutes, they played really well.”

Later last Saturday, United won by the same margin at home against Sunderland.

But Ferguson, ever mindful of goal difference after last season, saw the game as a chance lost to get ahead of City in that column, too.

He added: “It was a good chance to score plenty of goals because some of the football was very good and we were creating some great chances, so hopefully we can start adding to our goal difference.”

Ferguson admits it will be tough to do that at Swansea, despite United heading to South Wales hoping to make it six league wins on the trot.

Ferguson said: “We’ve seen the results Swansea have had and the progress they’ve made as a football club and the way they do it is the important thing for me.

“They try to play and have the courage to play their football, which is good.

“At this time of the year, all of these games are challenges because they come thick and fast now.

“Utilising the squad and picking the right teams will be important.

“Hopefully we can get through it and be in the same position we are now.”