Fergie Warns Of 2010 Red Devils Backlash

Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his side’s title rivals that Manchester United will only improve in 2010 as they look to retain their Premier League trophy. United end the year two points off league leaders Chelsea and two ahead of Arsenal, who have a game in hand, after Wednesday’s 5-0 demolition of Wigan. And Ferguson warned: “The second half of the season is when experience counts and we have that and we have the squad.

The return to fitness of Nemanja Vidic, in particular, has allowed Ferguson to select something like a settled back four in their last two matches and United have responded with comfortable wins over Hull and Wigan. It has left them well placed to push on in the new year – though Chelsea remain top of the table, while Arsenal’s recent form has underlined their title credentials as well.  But Ferguson insists the return to full fitness of a number of defenders such as Rio Ferdinand, Johnny Evans and John O’Shea will provide his side with the perfect fillip during the title run-in.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, was left deflated by his side’s capitulation at Old Trafford.  The defeat leaves his side just a point off the relegation zone at the turn of the year, and the Spaniard admits he has work to do if Wigan are to pull away from the bottom three.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.