Yes I have seen pictures said Wenger who had his own spat with
“Yes, I have seen pictures,” said Wenger, who had his own spat with Ferguson last season, told to “keep his mouth shut” after suggesting the season should not be extended for United.”History is history,” he added “We can make it different now. Ferguson now has the luxury of time in his search for a proven European striker.All this without the drive of Roy Keane, but then it has always been the trademark of Ferguson’s United that when one falls another rises He once failed to sign Paul Gascoigne but Paul Ince arrived. Alan Shearer turned him down but then came Eric Cantona, who has hardly been missed this season as Sheringham’s influence grows. Now Nicky Butt takes on Keane’s mantle and David Beckham inches infield to help out.The largest straw to be clutched by United’s pursuers today is that fatigue after a midweek trip abroad sets in.
The current change from nutty slack to hot Cole is a bonus rather than necessity with Teddy Sheringham, Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also on the prowl. They look at the moment as if they can score when they want but this feeling can disappear quickly. They can have a bad period.” United go to Southampton in mid-January.Today, the portents for anything other than a United victory do not look promising. Arsenal will again be without the suspended Dennis Bergkamp and the injured Marc Overmars. It leaves them short of creativity and thus goal potential, as three barren games have shown.”He will start today,” Wenger announced confidently when it was pointed out that, alarmingly, Ian Wright had not scored in six seasons for Arsenal against Manchester United.
But for all the French coach’s new influence it could be a day when Arsenal revert to type and the old hands in the team look for a George Graham performance: keeping it tight at the back and trying to win the match from a set-piece.There are several reasons why Arsenal have begun to struggle of late, culminating in their first defeat of the season by Derby County. Indiscipline and the loss of the irreplaceable Bergkamp is the most important. “He is the first player we find when we win the ball,” says Wenger. “He is not only dangerous for scoring goals but he is the first attacking part of our game.” The stand-in Nicolas Anelka has looked raw and wasteful by comparison.Another reason is that their first flush of energy and enthusiasm for Wenger’s system seems to have dissipated. It relies on closing down the opposition and winning the ball high in the field, from where they spring instantly into attack. Wright has never been especially fond of such work, preferring to save himself for the penalty area.
“We were really good at winning the ball at Derby but much less good at going forward when we had it,” said Wenger. “At the beginning of the season we were quicker but Overmars played an important role in that. We have been less good lately in transforming defence into offence.”By contrast, United have been quite devastating on the break and can attack teams from all angles Predictable they are not. It is important for us to win but no matter the result, it will not be over for us or other teams. Many still have the possibility to challenge them this season – Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea.
Two decades ago one could see how teams aspired to the standards of Liverpool by seeking to emulate their philosophies and playing methods. Now with United, it is unlikely ever to be possible in terms of resources. Ironically, United have shown one way to compete, in youth development. And now there is no restriction on overseas players, they field more natives than any other top team; seven Englishmen against Feyenoord. The long-term potential is at present being matched in the short term on the field “They are looking very confident. I would say they are the strongest in Europe at the moment,” said Wenger “They can win the European Cup. I said this last season and now they have the experience as well.”It is going to be difficult for us but not impossible United are not unbeatable.