We will be rooting for Arsenal. We need Chelsea to drop points, Ferguson said. Now we need to show real consistency to the end of the season.

Ferguson said: Nani had his injury and was out for a few weeks, but he's back and doing well. His last three games have been first-class. Maturity is one thing. He's 23 now, but he's a very shy boy. Maybe his personality is getting stronger and...

He said: I've always related my own disappointments to the best parts of my life. I do better when I lose a game and I'ma better manager the next day.

We have to decide whether to appeal because there are conflicting ways in which these decisions are being viewed, the United manager said. I watched the game between Leyton Orient and Charlton on Monday and there was an elbow on the...

Sir Alex believes Murray's disappointment will make him stronger: I've always related my own disappointments to the best parts of my life. I do better when I lose a game and I'ma better manager the next day.

In the present Scottish squad, I think you've got three or four very good players, said Ferguson, who singled out his own midfielder Darren Fletcher as Scotland's best footballer. But to qualify for the championship, you need more than...

Nani has settled down now and is getting maturity, Manager Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV. He has been pretty immature since he came to the club, but you are seeing the development now. He is a shy boy and you hope games like at Arsenal will...

Ferguson told Sky Sports after the game Maturity is one thing, he is 23 now. He is a very shy boy and maybe his personality has become stronger with playing for us every week.

Nani has settled down now and is getting maturity, Ferguson told MUTV. He has been pretty immature since he came to the club, but you are seeing the development now. He is a shy boy and you hope games like at Arsenal will give him the...

Nani has settled down now and is getting maturity, Ferguson said on MUTV. He has been pretty immature since he came to the club, but you are seeing the development now. He is shy boy and you hope games like at Arsenal will give him the...

Asked by John how this helps areas like Govan, Sir Alex said: The area's had its problems and needs help, there are various ways of doing that. You have various people of a certain bent in life who want to do that, people like May Nicholson - who I...

He said: The boy [Nani] has come back. He had an injury and he's been freshened up and his last three games have been first class and today was his best. Maturity is one thing as he's 23 now, he's a very shy boy there's no question about that. It's...

Looking ahead to Arsenal's trip to Chelsea on Sunday, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: I hope Arsenal batter them.

Rooney was unbelievable - he was the key player and they couldn't handle him, said Ferguson. He's very happy at the club. He's popular among the players and couldn't be a better lad. He's down to earth and won't change because that's who...

Absolutely that was his best performance for us (against Arsenal), Ferguson said. The boy has come back fresh after his injury. His last three games have been first class but today was his best. He was absolutely outstanding. It's...

Ferguson said: Rooney was unbelievable. He was the key player and they couldn't handle him. He's very happy at the club. He's popular among the players and couldn't be a better lad. He's down to earth and won't change because that's who he is....

Wayne's unbelievable. He was the key point for us - they just couldn't handle him, Ferguson said.Everything was played towards him, behind him or in front of him, he was on it all the time, he added.

Asked what made the difference, Ferguson said in a post-match interview: The boy's come back, his last two games have been his best. It's difficult to say (what's made the difference), but I think maturity is one thing. He's a very shy boy : but...

Rooney was unbelievable. He was the key player and they couldn't handle him, Ferguson said. He's very happy at the club. He's popular among the players and couldn't be a better lad. He's down to earth and won't change because that's who he...

Counter-attack has always been a part of our game, stated Ferguson. Arsenal play a lot of good football and get to the edge of the box regularly, so if you can get the ball you've got a chance against them.

Ferguson said: Wayne is fantastic. He was world class again. Every time the ball went towards him, we were on the attack. He turned the defenders so many times. It was a really top performance. Jonny Evans is a fantastic player and Wes (Brown) is...

Waynes unbelievable. He was the key point for us - they just couldnt handle him, Ferguson said.

Wayne's unbelievable. He was the key point for us - they just couldn't handle him, Ferguson said.

Ferguson added: Nani's last three games have been first-class. Rooney was a really great player. They couldn't handle him.

Meanwhile the manager praised Rooney's humility - in an age when you see the amount of celebrity-type footballers who earn a lot of money.

Ferguson said: It gives us all a good boost. There is no question about that. We have a lot of tough games coming up. We hope Arsenal take points off Chelsea next Sunday. We will be rooting for Arsenal. Now we need to show real consistency to the...

It was a great performance by us, United Manager Alex Ferguson said. It's that time of year when we need to kick on.

Ferguson said: I'm sure David Gill is working with Paul Stretford (Rooney's agent) - I don't think there's any doubt about that. And hopefully something does happen. I know the boy's very happy at the club and you couldn't meet a better lad. He's a...

The boy has come back from an injury freshened up and his last three games have been first class. This was his best performance for us, Ferguson said. Maturity is one reason, he is 23 now. He is a very shy boy and maybe his personality is...

It was Nani's best performance for us, absolutely, said Ferguson. The boy's had an injury but he's come back, freshened up and his last three games have been first class. Maturity is the thing, he's 23 now. He's a very shy boy and maybe...

This Ferguson confirmed: I know the boy is happy. He's not changed like some of these celebrity footballers, he'll never change.

Counterattacking has always been part of our game, particularly away from home, and we capitalised on those opportunities, he said. Arsenal play a lot of good football and get to the edge of your box regularly, but if you can win the ball...

Sir Alex Ferguson described Luis Nani as a shy boy when he summed up the personality of the winger who finally stepped out of the shadows on Sunday in the victory over Arsenal.

Ferguson said: He has been pretty immature since he came to the club, but you are seeing the development now. He is shy boy and you hope games like Arsenal will give him the confidence to know he is a United player.

Arsenal are not out of it, I hope that Arsenal go to Stamford Bridge and batter them, he told Sky Sports.

Wayne was unbelievable. I think he was the key point for us in the sense Arsenal just couldn`t handle him, Sir Alex said after Rooney scored the second in the 3-1 win at the Emirates.

Counter-attack has always been a part of our game, said Ferguson. Arsenal play a lot of good football and get to the edge of the box regularly, so if you can get the ball, you've got a chance against them.

The boy's very happy at the club. You couldn't meet a better lad really, said Ferguson. He's a really down to earth boy. He'll not change. That's the way he is. It's refreshing in this day and age when you see the amount of celebrity type...

Overjoyed United boss Ferguson said: It was a great performance. I am really pleased. You really need to keep on going at this time of year and the players were sharp.

It was a great performance, there's no doubt about that. I'm really pleased with that, he told Sky Sports. At this time of year you need to really kick on and I think Wednesday's result and performance has galvanised us again.

Wayne was unbelievable. I think he was the key point for us in the sense Arsenal just couldn't handle him, Ferguson said. He was world class today, there's absolutely no doubt. Every time when the ball went forward up the pitch towards...

The run-in is always a difficult period, but we've handled it over the years and I'm trusting them to handle it again, Ferguson said. We need Chelsea to drop points, obviously, but Arsenal are not out of it. I hope Arsenal go to Stamford...

The boy has come back after injury and has freshened up, the United boss said. His last three games have been absolutely first class but today was his best. Maturity is why we're seeing the best of him now. He's a very shy boy and maybe...

The boy has come back, Ferguson said. He had an injury, but has come back freshened up. His last three games have been first-class.

I know how happy he is here. He is very popular among the players. He couldn't be a better lad really. He is really down to earth and he won't change because that is the way he is, Ferguson said. It is refreshing in this day and age when...

It was a great performance by us really. I'm pleased and it's this time of year you need to kick on, Ferguson told Sky Sports. I think Wednesday's result and performance (in the League Cup semi-final victory over Manchester City) has...

That was a great performance by us, said Ferguson. We played really well. This is the time of the season we really need to kick on -- and it was an impressive result. We were sharp and incisive and could have scored more. But we are still...

The run-in is always a difficult period. I am trusting my players to handle it again, but we need Chelsea to drop points obviously, Ferguson told Sky Sports. Arsenal are not out of it, I hope that Arsenal go to Stamford Bridge next Sunday...

The counter-attack has always been a part of our game, particularly away from home, Ferguson said afterwards. Arsenal play a lot of good football - they get the ball up to the edge of your box right away, but if you can win the ball there...

Rooney was unbelievable. He was the key player and they couldn't handle him, Ferguson said. He's down to earth and won't change because that's who he is. That's refreshing in this day and age of celebrity-type footballers with lots of...

He (Rooney) was unbelievable today. He was the key player for us and they could just could not handle him, Ferguson said.

Wayne was unbelievable. He was the key point for us in the sense that they just couldn't handle him, Ferguson said. Everything was played towards him and he was on it all the time. He was a really great player.

Ferguson added: Rooney - unbelievable. They just couldn't handle him.

United boss Ferguson said: Wayne Rooney was the key point for us because they could not handle him, no matter where the ball was played to him. We know he is happy here at Manchester United. He is a down to earth boy and it is refreshing to see...

Counter-attack has always been a part of our game, particularly away from home, Ferguson said. Arsenal play a lot of good football and get to the edge of your box regularly and if you can win the ball and counter-attack you get good...

I think Wednesday's result and performance (against Manchester City) has galvanised us again, said Sir Alex. I think you could see today that the players were really ready for the game. They were sharp and good in their passing. And they...

His last three games have been absolutely first class and today was his best, Sir Alex said. It's difficult to say why we're seeing his best form now, but maybe maturity is one reason. He's 23 now. He's a very shy boy, and maybe his...

The run-in is always a difficult period, we've handled it over the years and I'm trusting them to handle it again, Ferguson said. We need Chelsea to drop points obviously. Arsenal are not out of it, I hope they go to Stamford Bridge next...

It's that time of year when we really need to kick on, United manager Alex Ferguson said. We need Chelsea to drop points. Arsenal are not out of it, I hope Arsenal go to Stamford Bridge and batter them.

Rooney he was the key player in the sense they just couldn't handle him, Ferguson said. Everything was played towards him, in front of him or behind them and he was on to it every time.

Regarding Rooney's contract situation, Ferguson said: I'm sure that [United chief executive] David Gill is working with [Rooney's agent] Paul Stretford. Hopefully something does happen. That was a great performance by us. I'm very pleased. It's at...

On Rooney, Ferguson added: I think he was the key player for us. They couldn't handle him and everything was played through him. He was a great player today.

Counterattack has always been a part of our game, particularly away from home, Ferguson said. Arsenal play a lot of good football and get to the edge of the box regularly, so if you can get the ball, you've got a chance against them.

Regarding Rooney's contract situation, Ferguson said: I'm sure that [United chief executive] David Gill is working with [Rooney's agent] Paul Stretford. Hopefully something does happen.

He said: That was absolutely his best performance. The boy has come back after injury and has freshened up. His last three games have been absolutely first class but today was his best. Maturity is why we're seeing the best of him now. He's a very...

It was a great performance by us, United manager Alex Ferguson said. It's that time of year when we need to kick on. I think Wednesday's result and performance galvanized us.

The game on Sunday, looking at the way the league is shaping up now, is the biggest game of the season. Arsenal are on a really consistent run, said Ferguson, who believes that consistency lies at the core on United's assault on the summit...

Sir Alex explains why: He shows great movement, energy and commitment in every game, and it's wonderful to see the level of endurance he can put into a match. He must run more than anyone.

We had no intention of signing anyone else after Gabriel Obertan, Ferguson said. We felt we had done our business, but the situation accelerated to the point where other clubs were bidding, so we had to make a decision.

You can never dismiss Arsenal, because their history will always guarantee a challenge. And they are definitely in the fray again, he said.

Today, as then, Fletcher is likely to be up against Cesc Fabregas, of whom an admiring Ferguson says: I think he's their talisman, their main player. Their team has changed a bit and managing that change is not easy. Henry left, Pires left, Vieira...

He's their talisman, their main player, said Ferguson.

Wayne thinks he could play centre half but he is at his best when he is as high up the pitch as possible, said Ferguson. He has the strength and energy and courage to run in between players, get beyond players and hold players off. All the...

Players hit consistency to a level you hope goes on for a long time, said Sir Alex. Wayne is in great form. It doesn't surprise me. He has always had that capability. He has showed it in periods every season and hopefully this lasts.

Ferguson added: We have been saying how good he is for a while. Maybe it has taken longer for the fans to appreciate the qualities the boy has.

Sometimes players just hit consistency to a level you hope goes on for a long time, said Ferguson. He is in great form but it doesn't surprise me because he has always had that capability.

Since I came down here, it's been Arsenal and United competing for most of the trophies, he said.

Everyone has come through Wednesday`s game, which is good news, Fergie said. Obviously we`re going to miss Rio because of his ban, but other than that, they`re all fit.'

Looking at the way the league is shaping up, this game with Arsenal is the biggest game of the season. These games with Arsenal are historic, Ferguson said.

Arsenal's history will always guarantee you a challenge, Ferguson said. It's the biggest game of the season for me.

Wayne thinks he could play centre-half but he is at his best when he is as high up the pitch as possible, said Ferguson. He has the strength and energy and courage to run in between players, get beyond players and hold players off.

That is where Arsene lets himself down, said Ferguson. What he said was disappointing and actually, I don't think he believes it for a minute. Everyone knows that Darren Fletcher is not a dirty player or a physical player. He is not built...

That won't bother Darren, Ferguson said.

It is amazing how this league has changed, said Ferguson. As I have said all along, the team that is most consistent will win the league now. Arsenal's current form has been very good. It has brought them back into the picture. That is why...

That's where Arsene lets himself down, said Ferguson. His remarks were disappointing. And I don't think he really believes that. Everyone knows that Darren Fletcher is not a dirty player, he is not a physical player, he's not built that...

You like to win your derby games, Ferguson said after Wednesday's 3-1 victory. The fact that we scored so late in the game brought a special type of celebration.

Ferguson, who takes United to the Emirates tomorrow, said: I think that is where Arsene lets himself down. He has his own view of the Arsenal players. Everyone knows that Darren Fletcher is not a dirty player, not a physical player, not built that...

He said: Sometimes, I can't make out these chants but I know there's been some terrible abuse from our fans to Arsene Wenger and there must be a line drawn.

Ferguson said: Looking at the way the league is shaping up, this game with Arsenal is the biggest game of the season. Since I came down here, it's been Arsenal and United competing for most of the trophies.

Darren reminds me of Brian McClair, said Ferguson. He was exactly the same. When the ball moved he moved. Darren is in the same mould because he must run more than anyone. His energy and awareness of space are excellent.

Ferguson said:It's amazing how this league has changed. But as I have said all along, the team that is most consistent will win the league now. Arsenal's current form has been very good. It has brought them back into the picture, that is why this...

...as Ferguson prepared for what he described as the biggest game of the bloody season, he even made a point of appealing for his club's supporters not to subject Wenger to the paedophile chants that have plagued ...

They are two of the best players, agreed Ferguson, before stressing, but it is a league full of great players. Wayne has hit that great form now. Fabregas has always been the important player for Arsenal for the last few years.