QUOTES FROM TWO UNITED HEROES

Last updated : 28 November 2004 By Editor

SAF:

"We are still behind Chelsea but don't ever underestimate the Manchester United spirit.

"It was an excellent display today and I really am delighted with it. For the whole 90 minutes I'd say it was our best performance of the season in terms of consistency.

"Our first goal was typical United and it was a marvellous strike from Scholesy.

"The whole move was a delight with a lovely touch from Ryan Giggs into Paul's path, and in those situations Paul is one of the best in the world.

"He has that great knack of being there at the right time and you don't suddenly lose what he has got. I couldn't believe he had gone so long without scoring until last week against Charlton, but we always knew the goals would come back for him.

"We knew Bryan Robson set out his stall to frustrate us as he had done at Arsenal the previous game, but we were ready for it and once we got the tempo in the second half we started to open them up a bit more.

"There were some good performances from my team and I thought Wayne Rooney was great as well. Now we'll see where we are once New Year's Day comes around."

Robbo:

'We were doing all right until the injuries. They hampered us, because we ended up with no one to protect the back four. I think United are starting to fire on all cylinders again and are still in with a shout. If anyone can put a run together they can.'

"Scholesy had quite a few niggly injuries at the start of the season and missing games can sometimes take the edge off players.

"But now he has played in quite a few consecutive games and he looks that little bit sharper.

"When Sir Alex picks a team like that there's a real goal threat about them but the injuries we suffered in the first half hampered us, too.

"Darren Moore twisted his knee, Cosmin Contra has a groin strain and had to come off and I can't play Kanu because he has a groin strain, too.

"Arsenal are still the team to beat for me and you can't write off Chelsea but United are on a roll now and they are still in with a great shout.

"They are one of the few teams capable of going on a run and maybe winning 14 or 15 games on the bounce and that's why you can't write them off.

"It was difficult for us today in the first half because of those injuries and we didn't keep the ball as well as we had done against Arsenal, but United were terrific and they are now firing on all cylinders."