Sir Alex says he will look into the eyes of the players to make sure they have retained the hunger to succeed
LONDON: In the final moments before Sunday’s Community Shield clash against Portsmouth, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will look into his players’ eyes and feel reassured that the club’s future is in good hands.
Just 10 weeks after the curtain finally came down on a magnificent campaign that included Premier League and Champions League glory, Manchester United return to action in the Wembley friendly that marks the start of the English season.
While United’s ascent to the pinnacle of domestic and European football in May would be enough to satisfy the appetites of many, Ferguson is driven by a burning desire to establish his club alongside iconic teams like Real Madrid’s 1950s vintage and the Ajax legends of the 1970s. He has no time for players who feel they have fulfilled their destiny and will stare deep into the eyes of each of his charges on Sunday to make sure they still have the same thrust for success as him.
“Soon I will look into the eyes of my players to make sure they have retained the hunger they need to succeed,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson will need every warrior he can find as he heads into the season without his two creative dynamos. Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to United’s training ground on Friday signalled the end of his attempt to engineer a move to Real, but the Portugal winger will be sidelined for several weeks after ankle surgery.
Wayne Rooney contracted an illness on United’s recent trip to Nigeria that will keep him out of action, while Owen Hargreaves, Louis Saha, Anderson and Nani are all ruled out.
The absence of so many stars could allow Ferguson to hand debuts to Brazilian prodigies Rafael and Fabio Da Silva and Rodrigo Possedon. Crouch, an 11-million-pounds (21-million-dollars) signing from Liverpool last month, is determined to mark his first significant appearance for his new club with a repeat of his 2006 Community Shield winner against Chelsea.
