SAF: We Still Have Much To Prove
Sun: ALEX FERGUSON has warned his young players need to win more silverware before they can be regarded as ‘great’.
The Manchester United boss recently claimed he had his strongest squad ever at Old Trafford.
But following their shock 1-0 defeat to Bolton on Saturday, Fergie reminded his stars they must fulfil their potential to add to last season’s league title.
Ferguson said: “We are a long way short of winning the number of trophies enjoyed by the team of 1992-93 and 1993-94 that ended the league title famine and then scooped the Double. There are also the superstars of 1999 who won the Treble.
“To claim our present side is better than those two teams is a little premature. Potentially, they have the ability, determination and ambition to go on and match the daring deeds of those previous teams.
“The fact is our boys of today still have to deliver.
“If you are a great player then you need the cups and medals to prove it or you risk being tagged ‘a nearly man’. I am sure that won’t be the scenario.”
United have already qualified for the knockout stages ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon.
But Fergie’s troops will be looking to avoid a repeat of 2003-04.
That season, he fielded a weakened team against Fenerbahce, lost 3-0, finished second in the group and then went out to AC Milan.
Ferguson, who has won all four Euro games so far this campaign, said: “The incentive is huge.
“We want to win the group so we can look forward to being one of the top seeds next February when the knockout stages start.
“It is also important to maintain the winning thread we have in this competition.”
There was good news for Fergie on the injury front as Wayne Rooney is over his ankle problem and plays against Fulham on Monday.
