POST MATCH PLATITUDES

Last updated : 27 March 2006 By editor

Second-half slowdown

"The first half was a good performance, but I think it was one of those situations where you start slacking and slowing in the second-half and then you're inviting teams and encouraging them to come on to you. We did that and Birmingham, for a long spell in the second-half, had a lot of the play, but overall the form has been excellent, the players are working very well and are playing some great football.


Missed opportunities


"We had a lot of chances in the first half, we didn't stop the momentum of the game and the tempo, we kept it really quick. We played some terrific stuff, but going in 2-0 at half time maybe in some way encouraged Birmingham. It could have been worse and we got away with it. We started a bit slow in the second half and they capitalised on that. Wayne Rooney could have had a hattrick, but overall I've got to be pleased, the manner in which we've been going about our games has been really good.

Winning formula


"It's very difficult to change a team that's won 6 games in a row. But possibly on Wednesday night we may make a change or two because we've then got Bolton next Saturday which will be a massive game, as will Wednesday too. West Ham are playing some excellent stuff, they're in great form also.


United: Back in form too late?


"It is frustrating for us, but we can take something from it, because as we know we had problems early in the season with injuries prevented us from playing our best side and players had to change positions all the time, particularly in centre-midfield. But a lot of our form has started from playing a centre-midfield two of John O'Shea and Ryan Giggs.


Future of United


"I think that the signs are very good. We've got some excellent young players and I think we have two really top players who'll be world class in a couple of years - Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.


Record attendance


"I'm delighted with that, it shows you the progress the club are going to make. If at all possible we should make this stadium as big as we possibly can, obviously the next stage is to ask 'Can we extend over the railway?' (To develop South Stand) Though if David Gill's listening to this he'll faint! We've got to always try and be the best at everything we can be."