Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has come out fighting in a typically fiery fashion amid suggestions that he is now 'past it' as a manager.
United look set for a second successive third-place finish in the Premiership, prompting some critics to question whether Ferguson has lost his touch after almost two decades at Old Trafford.
However, United's most successful manager ever hit back and said: "I find it strange that when Newcastle sacked Bobby Robson there was an outcry that they had got rid of so much experience.
"Now suddenly in Manchester experience counts for nothing. It's weird! But I will survive and so will Manchester United."
Ferguson has come in for some increased criticism from United fans for persevering with a lone striker system which has left the club struggling for goals this season.
But the Scot insists that their is no fault in his tactics and said: "I accept that if you are not playing well and players are missing chances, the five in midfield can look as if you are lacking intent to win."
"But pushing two right up is not the answer if you are struggling. Our weakness has been much more basic. It boils down to missing too many chances and there you have a problem that defies explanation.
"We have dropped 16 points to teams in the bottom half of the table because our finishing has been so poor."
Ferguson's criticism of his misfiring strike-force is almost certain to lead to further speculation of big changes up front in the summer, with both Louis Saha and Ruud van Nistelrooy being linked with moves away from Old Trafford by the tabloid press.
