DON'T STOP

Last updated : 05 February 2003 By Editor
Fergie on Arse and Brum

"It was a very important win for us on a very difficult night. They showed great commitment and enthusiasm and we knew we would have to work hard.

"Those are the type of games you look back on and say `that is one that won us the league'. It was a bit of a relief for us when Ruud scored because we didn't get many chances.

"They contained us but I can look back over my career on many 1-0 victories and they have always proved to be vitally important.

"We've now won six on the trot in the league and we have to give it everything we can. I believe this race for the title is going to go right to the end of the season.

"I'm enjoying the challenge. That's what we're in it for. We are ready for any game now. It's just vital that we keep going for every game.

"We have great team unity at the moment and we also defended well to get our second clean sheet away from home this season.

"We are looking very solid at the moment, the whole back four is very good and if we don't lose goals then it really does help us.

And on the derby

"We've now got a big game against Manchester City on Sunday and Arsenal have to follow us at Newcastle with currently only three points in it. The weekend should be interesting. We know we have a chance.

"We got to within a point of Arsenal before Christmas and then lost two on the trot. But if we get to within a point of them again, then I don't think we will slip up again."

"I think it's going to be an interesting weekend with Arsenal going up to Newcastle. But we have just got to do our job whether it's a derby game or City are top of the league, we have just got to do our job."

And the atmosphere of the game

"It was played with a good atmosphere from both sets of supporters."
Steve Bruce on Ruud.

"We gave a really good account of ourselves and there were lots of positives. I was bitterly disappointed that we were unable to nick something from the game.

"But we are making elementary mistakes and that is the one thing we have to eradicate from our game. They will cost you at any level of football - and especially this one. You will get punished.

"It does deflate you because you put so much energy into the game to try and stop them from scoring and my keeper has not had a save to make.

"Van Nistelrooy showed why United paid £25million, or whatever it was (£19million), for him but to start with we should not have allowed the cross into him. Then, when he has got his back to goal and two defenders around him, he should not be allowed to turn in the six-yard box and score.''