Sir Alex Ferguson confirms he will be Manchester United boss next season & insists his side will be out to beat Blackpool next Sunday

EPL : Alex Ferguson, Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United

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After Manchester United claimed their 19^th league title, manager Sir Alex Ferguson was understandably delighted, praising his squad and confirming he will be picking the team on the first day of next season.

The former Aberdeen manager paid tribute to everyone associated with the club after the 1-1 draw at Blackburn, a result gained thanks to a Wayne Rooney penalty with just under 20 minutes to go.

This title victory sees United overtake Liverpool with the record of winning the most top-flight league titles, but Ferguson was mindful to thank the players and supporters following an often turbulent season.

Speaking after the match to the Sky Sports, Ferguson said: “It was a fantastic performance by the lads and the supporters. Everyone connected to the club has had a great day today in terms of the achievement, and the atmosphere today.

“They were right behind us. The players worked their socks off to get the result we needed. It wasn’t an easy game as you know. We were 1-0 down after giving away a bad goal, but we kept on going. That’s one quality, they never give in.”

Although United got the minimum result they needed, a draw, Ferguson admitted for long periods he was concerned it wasn’t going to be their day.

“It did feel like it wasn’t going to be their day,” he said. “I felt that myself because we have always had it difficult here. They always seem to give us Blackburn at the end of the season up here.

“It’s a local derby and they’re fighting for their lives, don’t forget that and they were looking for that point also. But as I said, we kept going and that’s a good quality.”

After going in 1-0 down at half-time, United looked like they needed a boost and some more guidance and the Scot revealed it was simply a change in tempo that was required.

He continued: “I told them to keep the speed up. I thought that in the first half we were a little bit slow in our build up.

“We didn’t move the ball quickly enough. I think we did move the ball quicker in the second half and we were far more dangerous.

Despite another victorious season at Old Trafford, Ferguson believes there is room for improvement, particularly in the newly-crowned champions’ away form.

“I think the focus will be on our away form. I think that without doubt that is the area which we are a little bit disappointed, another draw today for instance, that’s nine draws away from home, but our home form has been absolutely fantastic,” he explained.

“The feature, for me, has been the home form, it’s been brilliant.”

Weekend off | Sir Alex Ferguson confirms he will rest players against Blackpool

Ferguson also went on to pay tribute to some of the younger players in his squad who he feels have been influential in their title triumph.

“Well I think the experience for players like Chicharito to come to the club and win the trophy in his first year, I think that is very important,” he said.

“Chris Smalling has had a fantastic season, that is his first medal. I think it gives them an incentive but also the taste of winning things.

“Today we did it the right way, moving Antonio Valencia to right-back, brought Paul Scholes on, he starts to control the game as he always does and we went for it. I think we deserved the result.

“This is Darron’s Gibson first title too. He has been at the club a long time so he will relish that experience. Antonio and Ji-Sung Park came back at a really important time for us. They gave us that freshness and galvanised the team at the right time.”

A major benefit of winning the title at Ewood Park means Ferguson can rest players for the forthcoming Champions League final at Barcelona but the United boss insisted he would send a side out to beat Blackpool next weekend.

“Yes I think that is a bonus for us being able to prepare for Barca,” he said.

“We can consider next week about who should be rested, who shouldn’t be rested, but I know there is all this talk about what our team will be next week but in fairness to all the clubs we will be fair, don’t worry about that.

“We will be trying to win this game next Sunday and for clubs like Wolves, and all the clubs fighting at the bottom, Wigan and Blackpool, we will do our best to make it fair.

“We did it against Hull if you remember. Maybe that was a mistake actually, because some of the players hadn’t played for two weeks, we have to measure how much we can give them, and that’s why the Gary Neville testimonial is important.

“The ones who don’t play next Sunday will play in the testimonial and that just keeps them ticking over.

On a final note, Ferguson then put to bed any suggestions that he might retire after getting the 19th title and overtaking Liverpool, concluding: “No, no, no, I feel good.”