Sir Alex Ferguson: Beating Man City will be one of our greatest ever results

- Daily Mail

Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed it would be one of Manchester United's greatest results if they were to beat Manchester City on Sunday but warned his own players to get their act together.

The United manager told MUTV: “If we win [on Sunday] it will be one of our best ever results. They are a really good, powerful team with massive players.

“It won't be easy and if we defend like we did at Reading we'll be in trouble. The important thing for us is to take lessons from the mistakes we're making and do something about it. We need to find a solution.”

City were heavily criticised for their limp displays in Europe this season and Ferguson warned his rivals that the Champions League will 'break' them unless they step up to its more competitive nature.

Writing in his programme notes, Ferguson warned City: “You have to learn quickly in Europe and if you don't you have to wait until the next season to have another crack. Unless you come to terms with its highly competitive nature it can break you.”

United qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League before the final round of games, but a limp display saw them lose 1-0 to group minnows Cluj at Old Trafford.

Afterwards, the United manager sent out a clear message to the senior players who have been letting his team down in their pursuit of the Premier League title.

“In terms of the defending, it's the senior players that have to get their act together,' he said.

“We put a very young team out and they did very well at times. Sunday will be different altogether. We were beaten by a wonder goal and there was nothing we could do about that.

“I thought we did OK. We created quite a few chances.”

For the main event on Sunday, United will hope their first XI can do rather better. But Ferguson will have been pleased with the work of Jones on his second start in nine months, and if a player who was so valuable to United early last season can stay fit he will be an asset over the coming weeks.

Last night also saw Rooney, who was his usual energetic self, complete 90 minutes.

Ferguson added: 'Phil Jones was fantastic and we got exactly what we wanted as far as he was concerned.  The more game time players like Smalling and Jones can get, the better it will be.

“Wayne is now close to full fitness also and hopefully he will be approaching top form come Sunday.”