Alex Ferguson believes that Manchester United's recent improvement has boosted their chances of retaining the Premiership title. Writing in his programme notes for this afternoon's game against Southampton which United eventually won 6-1, Ferguson said: "It's still going to be an uphill struggle in terms of the championship, but with performances like our last two outings we have at least given ourselves a chance. I know our championship chances are on a knife's edge, but we cannot give up and we won't.
"All those top teams, like Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds, will be feeling that this is the best chance they have had to win the league for a good many years. I'm sure they will go for it with all their might.
"In a way that could help us because I can envisage a real dogfight at the top and they could all lose points as well as win them. It opens the door for us a little, but we in turn must make sure we come up with a winning run.
"A major factor in our recovery has been the absence of individual errors, an element that first put us on the slippery slope. I think the concentration levels of the players have gone up and at the same time we have enjoyed some better luck," wrote the Manchester United manager.
Meanwhile, David Beckham agrees with Ferguson that his performances with England have taken their toll this season. The midfielder has failed to start any of United's last four games, prompting speculation of a rift with Ferguson and rumours that he could move away from Old Trafford at the end of the season.
But Beckham insists he has no problems with the manager's decision, especially as he has also been nursing a niggling back injury. "The manager has been resting me and the press have been having a field day," he said on MUTV. "Trust me, I really was injured. I've had a few days off and it's done me good. I said to the manager `this back injury is not going away' and it wasn't."
"It's gone away now. The rest is definitely what I needed. Even being on the bench you are still preparing for games and training every day and that wasn't rest for me. The manager said we could try that, but it just didn't work. Last week he said just go away and relax, don't train for three days and then come back. I've done that and, touch wood, I've not had any reaction from the back," Beckham added.
Beckham claims he wants to stay at Manchester United - but added his new contract must be right. "There was another round of talks last week. The talks are still going on and we're getting closer, but it has to be right. Everyone knows I want to stay at Man United. This is where I've been brought up and it's a way of life for me. My dad and my whole family are Man United supporters and I don't see any reason why I would want to leave this club and the fans know that. They're the reason why I want to stay at Man United. They've brought me through a lot of ups and downs and this is a place I love."
Filed by Greg McKevitt and Sinéad Kissane
