Manchester United centre-back, Rio Ferdinand, has slapped down talk that the team’s success this season, is down to Robin van Persie, and says there is a long way to go before the Red Devils reclaim the English Premier League title.
The 29-year-old striker who moved from Arsenal in the summer, has scored 19 times in all competitions, as United sit seven points ahead of Manchester City, on top of the log.
“No matter how you win the league, it is always mainly down to a group of players rather than one individual. At the moment he is scoring the goals but Javier (Hernandez) has chipped in the last couple of games,” the England international insisted.
“RVP is an important player. The manager saw something in him and made it his mission to buy him this summer.
“At the moment, thankfully, he is doing what he came here to do. He is not only scoring goals. He holds the ball up well and brings others into play. He does a fantastic job.
“But we are not at the end of the season yet. No medals have been handed out. We don’t want to jump about too much. Up to now he has done fantastically well. But the job is still there to be done.
“It is easy for people to settle in here. We have a great bunch of players. We have a great squad. There is a great ambience in the squad. It is a great place for players to come to if you are willing to come in, work hard and be a member of the team.”
Ferdinand also said United should ignore City and concentrate on pushing themselves over the line in May. Their fierce rivals came from behind to win the League on goals difference last time.
“Last year it was new because it was the first time they had challenged properly and there was a lot of focus on Manchester,” he said. “But we have to make sure we keep our own house in order, make sure we keep ticking off the games. We don’t have to focus on anyone else, just ourselves.
“We’ve had a good period and we have to continue that in the New Year. But no medals have been handed out – we don’t want to jump about too much.
The defender, who is rumoured to be on his way out in the summer, also praised the depth of the current United squad.
“Last season we made it difficult for ourselves. We saw the problems that we had last time, rectified them and put them to the sword. You saw a buinesslike performance and it’s is important to see that at this stage.
“This is always an important part of the year because the games come so thick and fast. You have to use your squad wisely. The manager has done that perfectly in this period. It is nice to finish it off and put the league away for almost two weeks now.”
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