LONDON – Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United’s in-form strikeforce can earn his team a potentially decisive away goal in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg with Chelsea.
Speaking on the eve of Wednesday’s showdown at Stamford Bridge, Ferguson said the heavyweight tie between the Premier League rivals may be settled in United’s favour if they could breach Chelsea’s defence. “The name of the game is to go back to Old Trafford hopefully with a goal in our pocket, or hopefully even two goals,” Ferguson said told a press conference at Lord’s, the home of English cricket.
“We want to make sure we want to back to Old Trafford with a live chance to qualify. If we go back with some kind of advantage we’ll be very, very difficult to beat on our own ground.” Ferguson’s strikers have found form at the right time, with Wayne Rooney netting a superb hat-trick in the come-from-behind win over West Ham. Ferguson declined to comment on the disciplinary proceedings facing Rooney over his expletive-laden tirade at a television camera but said he believed the England striker would be on a high following the treble at Upton Park.
“Goals are what strikers are about,” Ferguson said. “When they score they think they’re on top of the world. “I said at the start of the season if we can get two strikers who can score 20 goals we’re in with a chance of winning something. “Wayne’s now on 13 I think, (Javier Hernandez) is on 17, Berbatov’s on 20. That’s a good return,” Ferguson added. “I think that what’s kept us going there’s been a decent goal threat from us,” Ferguson said.
“We have forwards who can win matches.” The return from injury of Antonio Valencia had also strengthened United’s attacking options, Ferguson said.
United strikeforce can be decisive: Fergie
