Alex Ferguson is eyeing a hat-trick of Premier League titles

Posted Sunday, April 07, 2013 by The Sun

Alex Ferguson is eyeing a hat-trick of Premier League titles
POINTS MEAN PRIZES ... Alex Ferguson

ALEX FERGUSON has challenged champions-elect Manchester United to land another hat-trick of titles.

Evergreen Fergie, 71, is on the verge of United’s record 20th league crown as he prepares to face fallen champions Manchester City in tomorrow night’s derby.

But he gave no hint he was ready to give up the Old Trafford hotseat just yet
and is already relishing the thought of landing more silverware.

Fergie declared: “We’re not going to go away. Whether we can go on another run of three titles in a row, who’s to say? But the material is there.”

United, champions in 12 of the last 20 seasons, completed hat-tricks in 2001 and 2009.

This season’s trophy already has scarlet ribbons — derby victory would leave second-placed City trailing United by 18 points with seven to play.

A second title next season would take Fergie’s reign through to May 2014 and a third hat-trick of his United career would be the crowning achievement at 73.

The bus pass and retirement home might have to wait even longer if Fergie decides to see this latest batch of United youngsters reach their peak.

United have won 25 of their 30 Premier League games and the Scot said: “That’s fantastic. In terms of numbers, it has been our strongest squad.

“We know how to build teams here — and we’ve got a lot of youth in the team.

“With the squad of players we’ve got, there are maybe 14 players aged 23 or under who could play together for another seven or eight years.”

And after surrendering the title only on goal difference in the final minute of last season, Fergie taunted his rivals with a rundown on his rising stars.

He said: “I would expect us to have a real good challenge next year.

“Rafael has proved how much he has developed this season, while David De Gea’s progress in goal has been superb.

“He’ll be better next year. Shinji Kagawa will be a far better player next year too,
then there’s Alex Buttner and Phil Jones, who can do anything he wants to do.

“We’ve got to deal with one or two players getting older — but we’re not so bad in terms of protecting most positions.”

One challenge could be a possible return of Jose Mourinho to Chelsea.

Fergie said: “If Jose goes back you’d be expecting a big challenge there.”