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Ferguson vows to stay on
11/05/2008 22:34 - (SA)
Wigan - Alex Ferguson insisted he has no intention of retiring after Manchester United clinched the 10th Premier League title of the Scot's glorious reign at Old Trafford.
Ferguson's side won 2-0 at Wigan on Sunday to hold off Chelsea's late charge and give the United manager yet another champagne-soaked end to the domestic campaign.
Goals in each half from Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs ensured there was no last-day slip for United and Ferguson admitted he couldn't even think about walking away from the talented young side he has moulded so impressively.
Asked if he would carry on, Ferguson said: "Absolutely. How can you do without this? It's fantastic. I'm very proud but I have a great club. It's much easier for me than anyone else.
"They are developing all the time. They are a good young team who will get better in their own time.
"If they win the European Cup that is the best team I've had."
There could be an even more fulfilling day around the corner for Ferguson as United prepare to head to Moscow for their Champions League final showdown against Chelsea on May 24.
He believes United could have the edge against Chelsea after pipping their rivals to the title.
"The great thing is we are bouncing into the final," he said. "We can look forward to it. If we lost to Chelsea today that is a big job. We lost to West Ham and lost the FA Cup the next week. We were dead then but we are not dead now."
Retained the crown
United's nervous start at the JJB Stadium was settled when Ronaldo drove home a penalty after Wayne Rooney was fouled. Giggs came off the bench to equal Bobby Charlton's 758 game appearance record and ensure United retained the crown late on.
"It was a tough one alright. To go to the last game when you are away from home is more difficult," Ferguson said. "In fairness for most of the game we played well. There were some nervous moments and then the rain came and anything can happen then.
"There was a guy behind me who kept telling me it was 2-0 to Chelsea after five minutes but you have to put all that out of your mind.
"But after half-time I thought we started to get a grip on it. We missed a few chances and you say to yourself please give us that second goal.
"And of course our oldest player Ryan Giggs gets it. Fantastic."
Ferguson highlighted Arsenal's FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford and Chelsea's home draw against Wigan as the moments United took control of the title race.
"I think it ebbed and flowed a bit. Arsenal for long periods were looking like they were going to win it, then they dropped a few points after we knocked them out of the FA Cup and that made all the difference for them," he said.
All-time appearance holder
"We then dropped a few points at Middlesbrough and Blackburn that allowed Chelsea to close in. But their key one was the points they dropped against Wigan."
Giggs can become United's all-time appearance holder if he plays against Chelsea later this month but the Welsh veteran was adamant the joy of winning the title meant more than the record.
"I said before I'm not bothered about records. This is what it's about -championships," he said. "This is great. Hopefully we can win another one in ten days time."
Ronaldo's penalty took his league goal tally to 31 - equalling Alan Shearer's record for a 38-game Premier League season. The Portugal winger has been instrumental in United's back to back title and he insisted his team were deserved champions.
"The pressure was there but we believed in ourselves. We deserve to win the Premier League," he said. "I felt confident. I knew if I scored we were going to win the match. I am very happy that I helped my team again.
"My team-mates helped me a lot to give me great passes and great confidence. They gave me chances and I scored. But I think we need to speak about the team. We played very well and deserved to win. I think we have the best team in the Premier League."
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