Sir Alex Ferguson backs Manchester United to beat Arsenal & Chelsea after Everton win

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Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Manchester United to keep winning and beat title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal after securing a narrow 1-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford courtesy of a late Chicharito goal.

The win moves the Red Devils nine points clear at the top of the Premier League with their next two league games featuring a trip to the Emirates before Chelsea visit Old Trafford.

Yet Ferguson is convinced his side can emerge victorious from both clashes and admitted he has told his players to simply keep winning.

“The thing that puzzles me is that I keep hearing that we still have got to play Arsenal and Chelsea, as if we are going to lose them,” he told Sky Sports.

“Why can’t we win these games? Why should people say that we can’t beat Chelsea at home or go to the Emirates and win?”

“I said to the players today to forget all that nonsense and just win your games. Win their games and we will be alright.

“We just need to keep our heads down, don’t get carried away. The way the players are going about their business gives them an excellent chance. I think there is a winning attitude among them all. They have a refusal to give in and a determination to do better.”

In a frustrating afternoon for the title challengers, they were continually thwarted by an extremely impressive Everton defensive display.

But as the game entered the final five minutes Valencia stood the ball up perfectly with a fine cross to the back post for the Mexican striker to nod home just inside the post to all but wrap up the title for his new side.

After the game, Ferguson spoke of his surprise and delight at the progression that “Chicharito” has made at Old Trafford.

“We didn’t expect the impact he has made” he said. “We thought that a year of introduction to the club, adapting him to English football and strengthen him up and he’s done all these things in that period. He works seven days a week, 9am in the morning, last to leave. This boy is truly dedicated.”

Looking back at the game as a whole, Ferguson welcomed the performance by his players particularly for the way they kept going until the end.

“We played some really good football at times. Maybe in the first 10 minutes of the second half our decision making wasn’t up to scratch but we could have had the game finished at halftime,” he continued,” he added.

“But in time honoured fashion of Manchester United we don’t do that. We wait until the very end. We leave everybody hanging to the edge of their seats, but we got there. Fantastic performance by the lads, they kept doing the whole time and against a good Everton team. I think we can be very pleased today.”

“Everton wasted an awful lot of time and when we scored they then get the advantage of the five minutes extra time. It’s unfair that, an absolutely unfair rule. They should be punished for that. But, we got there, we got there.”