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Manchester United: Premier League is top priority

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Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says recapturing the Premier League is the "number one priority".

The 70-year-old challenged his side after being pipped by Manchester City on goal difference last term.

Ferguson also revealed Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling will return from injury for the start of the season.

He said: "We have to recover, as we've done many times. That's our target this year. Priority number one is to win the title back."

Ferguson has signed midfielders Nick Powell from Crewe Alexandra and Japanese international Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund.

He added: "After the disappointment of last year, we want to recover the title.

"We either win the title or come second, it's an important part of the history of our club over the last 20 years."

Vidic will be back for the start of the season after eight months out with a knee injury, while fellow defender Chris Smalling is expected to have recovered from a groin problem.

But defender Jonny Evans (ankle) will not be ready for the Premier League opener against Everton on 20 August.

"Vidic will start the season, I am sure of that," Ferguson said.

Neither Vidic nor Smalling are on United's pre-season tour of South Africa as they work with specialists at the training ground.

"Nemanja is still at the level of doing good amounts of training, but not in the competitive sense that the others have done so it was pointless bringing him out here," Ferguson added.

"He is better being back at Carrington, with all the facilities and the physios to get him to the next level. By the time we get back, we hope he is at the competitive element of his comeback."

Serbia international Vidic made just 11 appearances for United last season before suffering the injury in the Champions League defeat to Basel in December.

Smalling missed out on England's Euro 2012 squad after picking up his injury in May.

"Chris has done a bit of training, is gradually progressing and I expect him to start the season," Ferguson added.

Rio Ferdinand, who has struggled with a variety of injuries since 2008, is confident he will be fit enough to be a regular in the United side once again this season.

Last term, Ferdinand's 29 Premier League starts were more than he had managed in his previous three campaigns.

Ferdinand, 33, said: "It has been well documented I had injuries over the last few seasons. Last season, thanks to the physios and sports science team at United, I felt I managed my back really well. They helped me through.

"Long may that continue because I would like to play a similar amount of games this season."

Despite the furore that surrounded him not being selected for this summer's European Championship, Ferdinand is refusing to rule out adding to his 81 international caps.

Ferdinand added: "Manchester United is at the forefront of my mind. It's my club and this is what I love doing. If anything else comes of it, so be it."

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346 comments

  • Comment posted by U14972306, at 20:42 17 Jul 2012

    Ferguson's priority next season will be keeping Scholes and Giggs in the oxygen tents and hanging on to City's coattails.

  • Comment posted by U14978878, at 13:05 18 Jul 2012

    @208.

    Liverpool aren't going to win the league for many many many many many many many many many many years.

    No need for United to worry about that.

  • Comment posted by U14030836, at 23:06 17 Jul 2012

    This time last year Fergie said United would close the gap with Barcelona.

  • Comment posted by tryataiwaneseok, at 17:50 17 Jul 2012

    It's a lame excuse to say that UTD bought the title with 'their own money',when UTD paved the way for how commercialism runs football - the parent's ripped off buying numeous kits,the image rights sold for vast amounts it all amounts to the same thing. Do not think for one minute because UTD have traded their image to the highest bidder for many years that it somehow makes the money any less dirty

  • Comment posted by U15347434, at 21:45 17 Jul 2012

    why when ferguson breaks wind do we have to read about it?
    he wants to win the league, suprise there then!

  • Comment posted by dogeared, at 20:43 17 Jul 2012

    lol@110

    Maybe Ferguson should join them in the oxygen tent.

  • Comment posted by U13668671, at 17:41 17 Jul 2012

    Sir Alex Ferguson is going to have to buy a world class midfielder if Manchester United are to win the title this coming season.
    Powell and Kagawa are ok, but they're not world class.

  • Comment posted by mattgrieve, at 17:31 18 Jul 2012

    im a Chelsea fan and to be honest I cannot stand Manchester united but saying that fergie in my opinion is the best manager on the planet

  • Comment posted by U15343951, at 22:03 17 Jul 2012

    I don't think anyone is doubting how great UTD have been. But statements like yours (121) is why neutrals like me can't stand the arrogance of some UTD fans. That is why your hated as a club. It is a shame cause people like you are no better than the likes of Mr Terry etc and is why the whole concept of what is a great game is being tarnished.

  • Comment posted by jobsworth, at 10:20 18 Jul 2012

    barl3y I am an Everton fan mate. I agree tottaly on the diving thing its a disgrace and i feel it should be punished after the games even if the ref misses it. I also think City will do it again there squad is superb and they are looking at improving it over the summer but i think United, Chelsea and Maybe Arsnal/ Tottenham could be up there to.

  • Comment posted by U15341996, at 09:53 18 Jul 2012

    this isn't news...

  • Comment posted by jobsworth, at 07:55 18 Jul 2012

    Man U always want to win the league as do all of the big clubs in the prem even teams like tottenham now have the quality to win the league. I am not a Man U fan but you can only aplaud what they have done in the Premier League era. They also give young english players a chance unlike most/all of the other big clubs. People need to start worrying about there own clubs and not Manchester Utd.

  • Comment posted by U14972306, at 00:42 18 Jul 2012

    140. demand_equality
    As a Liverpool fan, the league is our bread and butter, it's the one we want all the time!
    we want to win the league, end of...
    +++
    In what parallel Universe?

  • Comment posted by U15018844, at 19:46 18 Jul 2012

    As an LFC fan the history/tradition has grown from building from within. MUFC have done it repeatedly. Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Best, Charlton. LFC - Macha, Fowler, Gerrard, Carragher, Owen etc. Nott Forest from Div 3 and not based on money. Chelski/City have tried to buy the accolades without the growth and hard work. Ultmately, the players are not as loyal and are just after the pay packet.

  • Comment posted by U15001102, at 18:00 18 Jul 2012

    @ 294
    Now you're starting to sound like an LFC fan (no offence intended). City are like CFC, a blip on the map. They will get a few trophies, but utd will come back, win more, and somebody bigger will arrive to challenge us.

  • Comment posted by realredsnz, at 15:33 18 Jul 2012

    it is a pity ownedbythebank.com dont have the money to buy any decent players and are stuck having to pack zimmer frames for scholes and the slimball giggs...otherwise they might have a chance of winning something next year...

  • Comment posted by U14191453, at 15:30 18 Jul 2012

    249

    Seen a lot of Kagawa have you then?

  • Comment posted by blue mosaics, at 15:10 18 Jul 2012

    242. burger_j

    when u win the league more teams are out to beat u. Plus some players impact are less effective when other midfielder and defenders get use to them in second season. will silva, yaya be as effective
    --
    A good point, Burger. But don't forget that the squad also have the benefit of having played longer as a team. But it will be harder, no doubt.

  • Comment posted by blue mosaics, at 15:00 18 Jul 2012

    eduard I think you might find you are embarrassing your fellow United fans by now.

    Both City and United had ups and downs in the season and both played their parts in one of the best Prem seasons ever and yes, there was an element of luck in City clinching the title. Most posts on here seem to be discussing this in a relatively realistic manner. Yours seem to have an element of wishful fantasy.

  • Comment posted by U14191453, at 14:57 18 Jul 2012

    243

    ESG

    I know he won the CWC, I said he was poor in the CL. He's been at it for 30 years more than Mancini. That's the pressure that comes with managing the Champions. They'll get there in the end in Europe. As you know, the CL is a totally different ball game to the PL. He was calling United favourites because they've done it so many times before, yo know that's what he meant.

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