iloveunited:

“The truly eye-catching improvement this season so far for me is the maturity that young Rafa has added to his game. He has always shown himself as a defender with ability and great enthusiasm, but not always with great decision making, especially in European football, giving him - and us - some scary moments. His performance against Queens Park Rangers (last month) was outstanding with his defensive work and attacking making his presence a key factor in our 3-1 win. I would have no hesitation saying that he is our most improved player this season with a couple of goals a reflection of his eagerness to lend a hand up front.”

- Sir Alex Ferguson

iloveunited:

“I reckon here at Manchester United we got our Christmas present early - right at the start of the season in fact, when Robin van Persie arrived at Old Trafford.”

“I am reluctant to subscribe to the cult of an individual because I firmly believe that the essence of a successful football team depends on team-work, and neither are we a one-man team, but sometimes there really is a situation where you are lucky enough to find the last piece of the jigsaw. We did it when we brought Eric Cantona to Old Trafford where he proved to be the right player at the right club at the right time. He became the catalyst and springboard for our surge to success. It doesn’t have to be signing someone for a record fee; Eric was in fact a snip at a million. Cristiano Ronaldo was not a record buy either but he certainly made a difference as he prospered with us to the extent that he came to be regarded by a lot of people as the world’s best player.”

“We didn’t pay a ransom for van Persie either, but as I take stock as we approach the halfway point of the season, I have no hesitation saying that he has made a vital difference to our chances of making our mark in this season’s title race. It’s the way he has improved those around him. Going into the holiday programme he had scored 15 times and with Wayne Rooney back among the goals we have a deadly duo as they showed especially in the mammoth match with Manchester City, and then to indicate it was no fluke they were both on the mark again against Sunderland.”

“I have really lost count of our Dutchman’s assists. It is quite remarkable how quickly he has settled at Old Trafford. It helped I think that he relished the move to Manchester and he is the consummate professional. He has a good lifestyle with a great sense of responsibility. For instance I have noticed the way he will speak to the young players and encourage them. That attitude is a real bonus for us. There is no doubt that he has moved us forward as a team and that the attacking and scoring is the strength of our team.”

- Sir Alex Ferguson

(Source: steerawbery)

iloveunited:

“Obviously it’s a great honour for me, there are some great players there. To be in England’s top five goalscorers of all time is something I’m extremely proud of. Hopefully there are many more goals to come. I’m still only 26, I’ve got a long way to go, so hopefully I can score a lot more.”

- Wayne Rooney after scoring a brace in the World Cup 2014 qualifying match against San Marino to become only the fifth man to score more than 30 England goals