Ferguson: We won't bottle title race like last season

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is confident they won't bottle this season’s title race.

United blew an eight-point lead with six games to go last season, but Ferguson has warned his stars there can be no repeat.

And he has told his rivals that he does not expect United to drop more than THREE points in their final 15 games – which means they could not be overtaken at the top.

“We’re not taking anything for granted,” said the United boss.

“We’ve got Southampton, then we go to Fulham and then it’s ­Everton at home. These are big games, massive games.

“Teams will drop points. Not just us but Manchester City will drop points, absolutely. It’s a ­certainty Chelsea and Arsenal will drop points.

"We’ll probably drop two or three ourselves, but the important thing is accepting the challenge that every game is just as difficult as the rest.”

Nike pushing PSG to bid for Man Utd ace Rooney

PSG are weighing up a shock summer move for Manchester United star Wayne Rooney - backed by Nike.

The Daily Mail says the word inside PSG’s shirt suppliers, Nike, is that the French club would pay whatever it takes to lure Manchester United’s Rooney to Paris. 

The England talisman wasn’t happy about being left out of the United side at Tottenham last week and Nike will always want marquee client Rooney, whose United replica shirt has been the biggest seller of all jerseys in the Premier League, in the shop window as often as possible.

Fergie blasts assistant referee

Sir Alex Ferguson blasted the officials after seeing his team pegged back by Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Manchester United looked to be heading for three Premier League points when Robin van Persie scored before the break but Clint Dempsey found a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Ferguson's men.

And the United boss was not only convinced that Wayne Rooney was denied a second-half penalty but also blamed the assistant referee for not giving anything his side's way.

"The stand-side linesman never gave us a thing all day," Ferguson told Sky Sports. "For me, it was a poor performance by him.

"Why he never saw the penalty kick on Wayne Rooney and some of the other decisions...

"We remember him well from the Chelsea game (in 2010) when (Didier) Drogba was three yards offside and he gave him onside.

"I think he had a shocking game today. I'm disappointed in his performance, I really am. I think he had a bad game."

But Ferguson did reserve some praise for Spurs as the home team bombarded the United goal after the break.

"You're 1-0 up with a minute to go and we're comfortable at that stage," he added.

"But Tottenham have worked their socks off and you have to give them credit. You can't deny them a point because they've worked ever so hard for it.

"We'd got used to them pumping balls into the box. You'd have thought we'd have dealt with it better.

"And on the counter attack we should have finished them off. It was the final ball letting us down and we should have been better than that."

AVB: More to United than RvP.

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has warned that Robin van Persie is not Manchester United's only threat ahead of Sunday's clash.

United's flying Dutchman has scored 10 goals in his last 10 games for the league leaders, who travel to face Spurs at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Villas-Boas reckons the scintillating form Van Persie has carried over to United from his final season at Arsenal sets him out as a great striker.

"For them he has been a tremendous success and it has been a transfer with immediate impact and immediate results," he said.

"He is a player who last year impressed and his level of form was incredible. To make a move to an even bigger club and arrive the way he has and triumph there is something outstanding - he is probably the difference at this time between the Manchester clubs.

"I think what is exciting with Van Persie at this stage is the fact that you know he was transferred to Manchester United after last year's amazing goal scoring record, and he kept on scoring.

"It didn't affect him and his form. He continues to be the amazing talent that he is."

The 29-year-old Van Persie has now scored 23 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils, but his manager Sir Alex Ferguson has refuted claims United are now a one-man team.

England striker Wayne Rooney has struggled to match Van Persie's form so far this season, but returned from injury in the FA Cup replay win over West Ham in midweek.

And Villas-Boas believes he can be equally as devastating.

"He sacrifices himself for the team and embraces all of that United team spirit and desire to win," he said.
"I think he has overcome some difficult moments in his career but he is a top quality footballer."

Rooney returned to Premier League action for the defeat against Spurs at Old Trafford last September, after missing almost a month with a severe gash suffered against Fulham.

He is now fit to face Spurs again after his latest injury setback and Villas-Boas has been left cursing his luck.
"We are always very, very unlucky as he always seems to return for our game," he said.

"He played a fantastic second half (in September) and made an impact in the game.

"We recognise we had an amazing first half against Man United and in the second half Rooney made the difference and made lots of problems for us.

"He had the game against West Ham to come back to form so we will just have to wait and see if he is selected or not, but he certainly makes Man United tick."

With both Rooney and Van Persie hoping to fire United to a 20th league title, Villas-Boas knows the two working together can cause all sorts of problems.

"It is a very, very strong partnership at the moment," he said.

"The individual talent is absolutely amazing."

Wenger knew Rvp would hit at United

Arsene Wenger always knew he would shift the title battle for Manchester United when he let Robin van Persie leave Arsenal for Old Trafford.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson put in a personal call to Wenger as he aimed to push through a £24million deal and beat bitter rivals Manchester City to the signature of the Dutchman.

City boss Roberto Mancini claims his side were "very close" to landing Van Persie, who has gone on to prove his worth with 20 goals already this season as United opened up a healthy lead at the top of the table.
Wenger was in no doubt that whichever of the Manchester clubs landed the Arsenal skipper would be in the driving seat for the championship.

"It was a very professional phone call (from Ferguson) and there was more than one. I will tell you the rest another day," said Wenger, whose side host City on Sunday.

"You know when you sell Robin van Persie to Manchester United, that (they lead the league) will be the case.

"Robin is one of the best strikers in the world and you know he will score goals for them."

Wenger added: "If he went to City he would have been just another striker in a bunch of world-class players."

Van Persie chalked up his 20th of the campaign when he came off the bench to net a superb stoppage-time equaliser in United's FA Cup third-round tie at West Ham, while his brace at Wigan in his previous league outing helped keep United seven points clear of City.

Wenger was always confident the 29-year-old could maintain his form from an outstanding final campaign with the Gunners.

"Robin is at the peak of his game. He has a high level of confidence in his qualities and knows his game well," Wenger said.

"He is more patient today than he was five or six years ago, now he can stay up front.

"Sometimes in games you don't see him for 20 minutes, but he knows he will get a chance at some stage and that he will use it.

"Before he always came back in midfield, but now he stays there and uses his killer instinct much better."

Tevez: Mancini's praise for RvP fired me up

Carlos Tevez says praise from Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini for Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has him fired up.

Mancini expressed his unhappiness at losing out in the battle to sign Van Persie, but Tevez insists the current squad can prove they are just as prolific in front of goal.

"Those words were a motivation for the strikers," the Argentinian told several newspapers. "We know that we need to carry on fighting. United lost some games last season and we were back on track, so we will keep doing our job.

"There's a long way to go and a lot of games to play. The emotion of the Premier League means it's always a fight to the end.

"If United lose one game, we'll be getting close to them. They will know that.

"We want to keep winning, to keep fighting for the title. I will try to help us to compete on both fronts, the Premier League and FA Cup, and try to win both."

Vidic: RvP is the goal textbook

Robin van Persie is the textbook centre-forward, according to Manchester United team-mate Nemanja Vidic.

The Dutchman came off the bench to net a sublime equaliser in stoppage time against West Ham as United salvaged a 2-2 draw from a thrilling FA Cup third-round tie at Upton Park.

It was Van Persie's 20th goal since joining from Arsenal in a £24million summer deal, converting a fine crossfield pass from fellow substitute Ryan Giggs after ghosting into the right side of the West Ham penalty area to force a replay.

Serbian defender Vidic hopes Van Persie can maintain his high standards over the course of the campaign as United chase another Barclays Premier League title and European glory.

"His touch is magnificent and his finishing is top class," Vidic said on MUTV.

"It is movement from the book, touch from the book, goal from the book.

"It is something they can show to kids, how to move and finish in the last third. He was magnificent for us, we just hope he is going to be in the same form in the end."

While quick to also praise "world-class" Van Persie, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was left less than impressed by his side's defending at Upton Park.

After Tom Cleverly had swept the visitors into a lead midway through the first half, the Irons soon hit back when James Collins headed in a brilliant cross from Joe Cole, making a second debut after returning to boyhood club in a free transfer move from Liverpool.

West Ham then turned the tie around on the hour when Cole again provided the ammunition for Collins to leap above the static United defence and power a header past David De Gea.

Despite being rescued by Van Persie's moment of inspiration, Vidic accepts the team must tighten up at the back.

"We always know that on set-pieces they are a tough team to play against and eventually they scored two against us from crosses," the centre-back said.

"They scored from the second ball which we should look at again, and we are definitely a bit disappointed. It is something to talk about.

"We have the height in the team, we should deal better with that, but most important is that we managed to stay in the game."

Vidic maintained despite bigger prizes on offer for United this season, the FA Cup remains an important target.

"We did not win the trophy for the last eight years and it's a trophy we are looking to win," he said.
"We showed [that] in how we celebrated the goal, and I am hoping at home it will be a different game."

United's replay with the Hammers will take place on January 16, just after the home Premier League game with Liverpool and ahead of a testing trip to Tottenham.

Ferguson hopes his injury list will have eased somewhat to give him the opportunity to rotate once again in the middle of a tough run.

"I have got a good strong squad and I am sure players will all be back by the time we play all these games," the United boss said.

"Nani has started training as is almost fit now, Phil Jones should be ready in the next week or so.

"We have a strong squad, so why don't we use it?"

Rooney out for TWO weeks

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney has been ruled out for another two weeks after failing to recover from his injury.

Rooney sustained minor knee damage in training on Christmas Day and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson initially expected the striker to be back in a fortnight.

However, it now seems he will be missing for longer - and will sit out next week's clash with Liverpool.
"Wayne is still injured," said Ferguson.

"It is not serious but it is going to take longer than we thought, probably another two weeks. He won't be fit for Liverpool."

Fergie: I turned down RvP 11 years ago

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he blundered turning down the chance to sign Robin van Persie ELEVEN years ago.

Ferguson could have got the Dutchman back in 2001, when he dispatched one of his scouts to Holland to watch the teenage striker in action for Feyenoord.

Ferguson sent scout Jim Ryan to assess van Persie, who was red carded in the game, raising concerns about the young forward’s character, despite his obvious talent.

The United boss decided against signing van Persie as a result, and watched Arsenal land him in 2004 for what proved a bargain £2.75m.

"Robin was only 16 or 17 at the time,” said Ferguson. “But our assessment of young players is always based on the potential you see in them.

“We sent Jim Ryan over to Feyenoord and Robin was ­actually sent off in the game. Jim said he was a fantastic talent, but felt that he was a little immature.

“At 16, we’re all immature, but we didn’t progress it, and then he went to Arsenal.

"I never thought we would get him, until he convinced us that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract at Arsenal.

“We just started working hard with Arsene Wenger and myself, I phoned him quite a few times, and we eventually came to an agreement.

“If Robin had more than one year left on his contract, we would never have got him.

“It was very amicable with Arsene. He made his case because, first of all, he wanted him to stay without ­contradiction.

“There’s no doubt about that and he worked hard to keep him. The next stage, once he accepted that he had to let him go, was to make sure we paid him the money.

“And Arsene has always done a phenomenal job getting top dollar for players.”

Evra: We can beat Madrid

Manchester United fullback Patrice Evra is looking forward to facing former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid.

The tie of the Champions League last 16 promises to provide two spectacular matches between the famous clubs and Evra is convinced the Reds can progress and remain on the road to Wembley.

"It's not an easy one as Madrid are a big team," the left-back told MUTV during a Christmas visit to The Christie and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. "On a positive front, I think everyone is going to be ready for that game.

"It's a big game and everyone will be wanting to play well. It's not easy but we can do it.

"Also, I'm happy to see Ronny back at Old Trafford. I think the fans will be very nice with him as he did a fantastic job when he was playing for United. I just hope, against us, he will do nothing and we are going to win against Madrid.

"It's a tough draw but we can do it."

Ronaldo confesses United did a lot for him

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is looking forward to his return to Manchester United.

Six crucial Primera Division fixtures precede an encounter with a significant emotional pull for Ronaldo, as Manchester United visit the Bernabeu in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Referring to the club he left for £80million in 2009, Ronald added: "I still have great feeling of friendship and love for them, they're a team that have done a lot for my career.

"The fans know me well and I have a lot of friends there that I keep close to my heart.

"But now I am defending Real Madrid's colours. It's a bit of a sad feeling I guess, but I want to score, and for us to win, and that would make everything better."

Rafael: I have matured

Rafael has arguably been the Reds' most consistent player this season. He sat down with Inside United recently to discuss the changes in his game and his ever-growing confidence...

Everybody’s talking about how much you’ve matured this season. What has changed to make that happen?
I'm getting old! [laughs] No, I think this is just a natural development – it's bound to happen when you play more games and have more experiences. My daughter has also helped me – it's settled me down a lot. When you're a dad you have to be mature. Also, I think splitting from Fabio – he's on loan at Queens Park Rangers this season – has been a good experience.

You used to get stick from people who said you went forward too much or threw yourself into too many tackles. Have you made a conscious effort to curb some of those instincts?

Yes and no. I'm a Brazilian and everybody knows how much we love to attack. Part of my game is going forward and I love to score goals – it's an incredible feeling. It's always been the case that I've had to think carefully about when to go forward and when to stay behind. I think the difference now is that I'm making more correct decisions and that's something that comes from playing regularly in the team. The same goes for my tackling. You can't always win the ball and sometimes the best thing to do is not to make a challenge. You learn when to tackle and when not to.

You seem more confident than ever. Would you agree?
I feel good, definitely. I'm getting older. I don't feel young anymore. I think everybody still thinks of me as this teenage boy who's only just arrived at the club. But I'm 22 now, I'm a father. I'm not a kid anymore. Now I feel like a man and maybe that shows on the outside. I'm obviously still learning about football and I'll keep learning, but I feel ready for anything now. I'm ready to make a big impact.

You seemed to have struck up a really good understanding with Antonio Valencia down the right wing. How enjoyable is it to play with Antonio?
It's amazing. He's a terrific player and he's so strong. When I go out on the pitch and Antonio is in front of me it fills me with confidence. We have a very good relationship off the pitch as well – perhaps that helps during games.

Do you know much about David Beckham and Gary Neville's partnership down the right in the 90s?
Of course, and I hope me and Antonio can have the same success at United. To play together for almost 10 years here would be incredible and I'm sure we could have a lot of success. It would be a dream to develop a partnership as good as that one. I like the fact that Neville and Beckham were good friends as well.

Sir Alex said recently that whenever you go back to Brazil you end up playing football every day in the street. Is that true?
Yes, it is! I love it. We always spend time with our friends when we go back and part of that is playing against other teams from the neighbourhood in our city. It's not a big city and it's just for fun so it's really enjoyable. We also play a lot of beach soccer and volleyball but with the feet and head. It's obviously very different to playing at Old Trafford – there's not as much pressure and we don't have to run quite as much!

But the boss says you "train like a beast"!
I read that [laughs]! I think it's because when I play football I just forget about everything else in my life and I commit to football 100 per cent. It doesn't matter if it's a cup final or a training session - I always give my all and I always want to win. I think it's important to train to the same level as you would play a match. It's the best way to prepare.

You’ve chipped in with a couple of goals this season. How satisfying has that been?
I started really well and scored two quite quickly. It's a shame I haven't been able to get a few more because it's a great feeling when you score. Like any other player I hope to score more goals in the future. Quite a few of the defenders have been scoring this season and that's always good for the team - it helps to take a bit of pressure off the attackers.

Tell us about your goal at Liverpool this season...
It's definitely the best goal I've scored for United. It was an unbelievable feeling and when it helps the team win the match it's even better. I remember looking at the ball and it took a little bounce and sat up for me. I thought, 'I have to hit this now, I have to score here' and so I hit it and it went exactly where I wanted it to go.

Which gives you the biggest buzz – a clean sheet or a goal?
They're different feelings, different emotions. One takes 90 minutes to achieve, the other happens in an instant. I can't separate them, but they're both good! Unfortunately, we haven't had too many clean sheets this season. It's a bit of a worry but because we're still winning most of the games it's not a disaster. But it's probably the biggest weakness of our season so far. Thankfully we know we can improve on that aspect and I'm confident we will do that.

Do the players always feel a good Christmas period sets you up well for the second half of the season?
I think so, yes. With so many games in quick succession there are a lot of points up for grabs. There are also a lot of points to lose, so it's important you get the right result. You don't want to be left chasing another team at the top of the table because even though it's only December it can be difficult to claw back those points. But we have a big squad at United and the manager will use all the players to make sure we stay fresh. If we do well over this period then it can set us up well for a title push.

Winning the league must be the main aim after the disappointment of coming so close and missing out last season?
Definitely. At United we start the season wanting to win every competition we play in - the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the League Cup... but the league is special. Winning it is an incredible feeling and we want to feel that again. It's important to us this season and we'll battle as hard as we can to make sure we lift the trophy.

Rio says team spirit has helped RvP

Team spirit has been one of the major factors behind Robin van Persie's hugely impressive debut season to date, according to Rio Ferdinand.

Van Persie has excelled since joining the Reds from Arsenal in the summer and has already netted 19 goals and created numerous others.

The Dutchman himself said after his brace in the 4-0 win at Wigan on New Year's Day that he is part of a "special team” and remarked on how "everybody wants to help each other."

Ferdinand echoed those sentiments, insisting that the bond amongst the squad is second to none.

"It is easy for people to settle in here," he told PA Sport. "We have a great bunch of players and a great squad. There is a fantastic ambience in the squad. It is a great place for players to come to if you are willing to come in, work hard and be a member of the team.

"Robin is an important player. The manager saw something in him and made it his mission to buy him this summer. At the moment, thankfully, he is doing what he came here to do.

"No matter how you win the league, it is always mainly down to a group of players rather than one individual, but currently he is scoring the goals.

"He is not only scoring though, he holds the ball up well and brings others into play. He does a fantastic job. But we are not at the end of the season yet. No medals have been handed out. We don't want to jump about too much. Up to now he hasdone fantastically well, but the job is still there to be done."

United's title challenge has certainly been aided by a positive run of results over the festive period which has seen the Reds stretch the lead over Manchester City to seven points.

"We have had a good period, but we have to continue that in the New Year," added Ferdinand. "It was important for us to get the points on the board - this is always an important part of the year because the games come so thick and fast. You have to use your squad wisely. The manager has done that perfectly in this period. It is nice to finish it off and put the league away for almost two weeks now.

"Last year it was new [to have City as challengers] because it was the first time they had challenged properly and there was a lot of focus on Manchester. But we have to make sure we keep our own house in order, make sure we keep ticking off the games. We don't have to focus on anyone else, just ourselves."

Ronaldo: I still love United

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he still has 'love' for former club Manchester United even if he will be doing his best to dump the Reds out of the Champions League.

The Portuguese ace, who joined Real Madrid for £80m from United in 2009, will line up against his old club in the last 16 with the first leg at the Bernabeu on February 13.

Ronaldo said: "I still have great feeling of friendship and love for them, they're a team that have done a lot for my career.

"The fans know me well and I have a lot of friends there that I keep close to my heart.

"But now I am defending Real Madrid's colours. It's a bit of a sad feeling I guess, but I want to score, and for us to win, and that would make everything better."

Recent reports in Spain have suggested Ronaldo was stalling over an offer to extend his stay in Madrid beyond 2015, with big-spending Paris St Germain rumoured to be interested in acquiring the 27-year-old's services.

The future of Ronaldo's countryman and current Real boss Jose Mourinho is similarly unclear, with the capital club trailing fierce rivals Barcelona by 16 points amid rumours of unrest behind the scenes.

But in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, the 22-goal man stressed his commitment to Mourinho's project, which continues against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

He said: "I feel great and I'm convinced that this year will be better than last year. I'm feeling good and ready to do my best, as always, and to be better than last year."

When asked about his contract, Ronaldo stood firm, adding: "That subject has already been spoken about. I won't talk about my contract renewal any more, it's not important.

"The most important thing is winning our next matches. We are contesting La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League and it's important that we all stick together.

"Right now I'm feeling more comfortable with the fans, not just at the Bernabeu, where I've always felt good, but outside too.

"They have shown me a lot of love. I want to pay them back in the best way possible, which is playing well and giving my all for the shirt and helping Madrid get to the top.

"We want a perfect start to the year. We are at home, we are the favourites and we need to start well."

Fergie admits it is too early to consider a successor

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says modern management is so precarious it is "impossible" to predict who could replace him at Old Trafford. 

The 71-year-old Scot, who has been in charge at the club for 26 years, plans on staying in the job for another "two or three" years.

And he says it is too early for United to consider a successor yet.

Ferguson said: "There's no-one on the agenda, I can assure you."
"I'm hoping to stay on for a bit of time anyway."

Ferguson could be thinking of Chelsea's decision to sack Roberto di Matteo - only six months after winning the Champions League and FA Cup - when he talks about management being a "precarious industry". 

Over Christmas Sean O'Driscoll lost his job at Nottingham Forest within hours of beating promotion rivals Leeds 4-2, and Henning Berg was dismissed only 10 games into his Blackburn reign.

With that in mind Ferguson is refusing to be draw on candidates to take over his mantle at Old Trafford.
"It's very difficult because over the years names have been bandied about and football is such a precarious industry," he says.

"The sack race, in terms of management, is horrendous. It's a results industry of course, but sometimes a manager can only survive maybe four games if he doesn't win a match.

"You look at certain clubs and that's obvious. So to look two years ahead, it's impossible to say who's even going to be there. It's a difficult one."

There have been plenty of former Manchester United players tipped to eventually take over from the Scot.

Mark Hughes and Roy Keane were both leading candidates before suffering failures at Manchester City and Sunderland respectively. 

Current favourites to land the United post include Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho and Everton chief David Moyes.

Ferguson said: "There's always going to be names bandied about, no question about that and they're all qualified people but nobody knows where they're going to be in two or three years' time.

"I think top managers will always be in demand: Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, David Moyes, there's a lot of successful managers out there.

"I don't know what their plans are, who knows where we're going to be in two or three years' time?"

Ferguson hails van Persie

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hailed two-goal Robin van Persie after victory at Wigan Athletic.
The first goal in particular was a gem, as he took Javier Hernandez's square ball before stepping inside Ivan Ramis and then belting a superb shot into the corner with his supposedly weaker right foot.

"We knew we were getting a top player who would make a difference to the team," said Ferguson. "That is why we went for him.

"Robin is a completely rounded footballer. He has great international experience, he's played for Arsenal for seven years and he came to us at the very peak of his career.

"His ability to make and take goals is fantastic.

"His play for his first goal was absolutely magnificent, his turn, his balance, no drawback, just side footed it in. It was a really good goal."

van Persie: This is a special team

Manchester United’s two-goal Robin van Persie deflected praise to teammates after victory at Wigan Athletic.

The Dutch striker netted his 18th and 19th goals of the season in the Reds’ 4-0 win at Wigan.

“This is a special team,” he told MUTV. “Everybody wants to help each other. Everybody's keen for everyone to score. Defenders are working their socks off for the midfielders, the midfielders are working for the strikers... everybody wants to run and everybody has one target in their mind.

“We have to look at it game by game but everybody wants to be champions. I feel that I'm surrounded by champions. They know how to win and that makes it really easy for me.”

Ferdinand reveals fans confrontation

Rio Ferdinand has opened up on the time he was confronted by a gang of hooded Manchester United fans at his home.

The group turned up outside the player's house to demand that he sign a new deal eight years ago.

Ferdinand's future had been the subject of speculation at the time after he had been photographed with then Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon in a restaurant, but that had been a chance encounter.

Ferdinand was asked to come to the door but could not see anyone on his security monitors.

The 34-year-old told FourFourTwo magazine: "So I go to the side door and grab a big bit of wood, jump on the side of the wall and I'm just about to scream 'raaaah!' when I see there's a massive group of people, with hoodies and caps covering their faces.

"I just thought, 'I'm going to get served up in a moment, so go bananas and they'll think you're a nutter!'

"Then one of them said, 'We're the United boys, f***ing sign your contract,' and I was like, 'What you talking about? I've only just started negotiating two months ago, what you worrying about?"'

Explaining the background, he added: "Basically I went to see my agent for half-an-hour and Kenyon was with him.

"Someone's taken a picture and made out like we're having a bloody meal together. So I'm saying to these guys, 'If I'm going to do a deal with another club, do you think I'd be doing it in broad daylight?'

"One of the neighbours had called the police by then and they got off when they heard the sirens."

Ferdinand, in a question and answer section with fans, also spoke of the lowest point of his career, when he was banned for eight months after failing to attend a drugs test in 2003.

He said: "If that sort of thing can't make you more responsible, then I don't know what can.

"People assume I must have had something to hide but I did all the tests that were asked in the end and the judge said I had proved beyond any doubt I had nothing in my system - those tests trace stuff from months back.

Rio in 2002 signed for United

"So I never had any doubt in my mind, it was just irresponsible of me not to go to the test at the time and I got punished severely for it.

"Eight months of my career just gone, just like that. It was easily the lowest point of my career, especially as I knew people were trying to tarnish my name by saying I was into drugs.

"That's the most disappointing thing for me, that people assumed I was involved in drugs or had something to hide."

Van Persie loving United life

Robin van Persie has admitted his joy at playing for Manchester United and says his first goal in the 4-0 win at Wigan was one of his best yet.

Van Persie ended up with a brace to take his overall tally to 19 as United remained seven points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City.

But while his latter effort was a tap-in provided by Danny Welbeck, his first was brilliant as he collected Javier Hernandez's pass, stepped outside Ivan Ramis, then inside the hapless defender before curling expertly past Ali Al Habsi with his supposedly weaker right foot.

"It was a good goal because every single touch was the right one," he said.

"The first one was a little behind me and I had to drag it onto my left foot.

"Then I waited for the guy to slide in, had a good touch inside and then a quick finish. Three touches but all good touches."

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has already identified van Persie as the likely difference in this season's championship battle.

The 29-year-old could hardly have enjoyed a smoother start to life at Old Trafford.

However, the Dutchman insists it would not have been possible without the help of his team-mates, with Hernandez sharing top billing on Tuesday with a double of his own.

"This is a special team," said van Persie. "Everybody wants to help each other. Everybody's keen for everyone to score.

"Defenders are working their socks off for the midfielders, the midfielders are working for the strikers. Everybody wants to run and everybody has one target in their mind."

In such circumstances, it is understandable why Ferguson might want to hang around a bit longer as he indicated in an interview with the Abu Dhabi Sports channel.

"I'm hoping to stay on for a bit of time," he said.

Enough time to see his £24million investment reap handsome dividends.

"We knew we were getting a top player who would make a difference to the team," said Ferguson. "That is why we went for him.

"Robin is a completely rounded footballer. He has great international experience, he's played for Arsenal for seven years and he came to us at the very peak of his career.

"His ability to make and take goals is fantastic.

"His play for his first goal was absolutely magnificent, his turn, his balance, no drawback, just side footed it in. It was a really good goal."

Mancini admits RvP arrival has changed United.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini admits Manchester United's capture of Robin van Persie transformed the title race.
 
Van Persie has scored 16 times in the league so far this season while the champions' quartet of strikers have managed only 23 between them.

"Robin van Persie is an important player for them," said Mancini. "It's clear that the difference is this. He has changed the situation.

"We wanted him in the summer because we knew he would be an important player. He is totally different from our other strikers."