A lot is made of the culture that Sir Alex Ferguson has built at Manchester United, and the foundation is built on an insatiable thirst for winning.
You can certainly see it on the field when watching the Red Devils take on English Premier League opponents, but if you can't pinpoint that x-factor on the field, listen to comments by Manchester United players, coaches and rivals.
WINNING MENTALITY
You can certainly see it on the field when watching the Red Devils take on English Premier League opponents, but if you can't pinpoint that x-factor on the field, listen to comments by Manchester United players, coaches and rivals.
WINNING MENTALITY
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez thinks Tom Cleverley's return from injury will boost Manchester United's bid to repeat as Premier League Champions. The Wigan manager tips Cleverley's winning mentality to give United an edge over other contenders, according to Goal.com.
"Tom Cleverley is a player you need to work with to understand the full package," Martinez said. "The mentality he's got is quite unique. He's a winner and we all see what he can do.
"Tom will be refreshed and that could be the key for United. He's going to be fully fit and it's going to be like having a new signing. He can make a big impact on the title race."
STRENGTH OF CHARACTER
"Tom Cleverley is a player you need to work with to understand the full package," Martinez said. "The mentality he's got is quite unique. He's a winner and we all see what he can do.
"Tom will be refreshed and that could be the key for United. He's going to be fully fit and it's going to be like having a new signing. He can make a big impact on the title race."
STRENGTH OF CHARACTER
Ferguson believes the setbacks suffered by Manchester United this season versus Manchester City in the league and Basel in the UEFA Champions League have only highlighted their strength of character.
The Old Trafford boss said: "If you lose a derby game 6-1, get knocked out by a Championship team in the quarter-final of the Carling Cup, and lose to Basle, who are not a power in Europe, you can understand the criticism.
"But in terms of the nature of the players we have and the kind of club we are, we have shown the resilience and determination to do something about it each time it has happened.
"That says a lot about the character of the team.
"We lose games in normal seasons. This season we have lost games that have been dramatic and a bit more emphatic in the sense of the impact it had on our chances of winning trophies.
"These were bad results for us but the character of the team has rescued us each time."
TEAM EFFORT AND SPIRIT
The Old Trafford boss said: "If you lose a derby game 6-1, get knocked out by a Championship team in the quarter-final of the Carling Cup, and lose to Basle, who are not a power in Europe, you can understand the criticism.
"But in terms of the nature of the players we have and the kind of club we are, we have shown the resilience and determination to do something about it each time it has happened.
"That says a lot about the character of the team.
"We lose games in normal seasons. This season we have lost games that have been dramatic and a bit more emphatic in the sense of the impact it had on our chances of winning trophies.
"These were bad results for us but the character of the team has rescued us each time."
TEAM EFFORT AND SPIRIT
Defender Patrice Evra believes only the Barclays Premier League champions have the necessary fighting spirit to win the title this year.
The France left back played a starring role in United's 5-0 demolition of Wigan on Boxing Day that saw Sir Alex Ferguson's team draw level with local rivals Manchester City at the top of the table.
United have taken 25 points out of 27 since losing 6-1 at home to City on October 23. Their recovery from that dark day has been all the more remarkable given an injury list that saw them start Monday's game without 11 first team regulars.
Evra said: 'I've said this from the beginning - in six years playing here - the United spirit is always there. No other team have got that spirit. This is United. This is why I'm so proud to play here.'
United won on Monday with Michael Carrick playing at centre back and Evra was playing alongside him after a half-time injury to Jonny Evans.
The France left back played a starring role in United's 5-0 demolition of Wigan on Boxing Day that saw Sir Alex Ferguson's team draw level with local rivals Manchester City at the top of the table.
United have taken 25 points out of 27 since losing 6-1 at home to City on October 23. Their recovery from that dark day has been all the more remarkable given an injury list that saw them start Monday's game without 11 first team regulars.
Evra said: 'I've said this from the beginning - in six years playing here - the United spirit is always there. No other team have got that spirit. This is United. This is why I'm so proud to play here.'
United won on Monday with Michael Carrick playing at centre back and Evra was playing alongside him after a half-time injury to Jonny Evans.
'This is the United spirit,' stressed Evra. 'You can play everywhere for the team. If you want to win, you have to accept it. You can see Antonio Valencia playing right back as well. Only because United play like a team is this possible. The team is the star, not only one player.
'That's why you can put me and Michael Carrick at centre back. We're going to win because it's the team effort and team spirit. That's why I'm confident about the future. It was a big disappointment when we went out early in the Champions League. But I think it was a wake up call because maybe everyone looked at themselves in the mirror and said, "We can do much better".
'What the fans expect of every player, we are doing now. That's why I'm very pleased. Nothing is easy. It's because we're working hard. If we stop working hard and think only with the United name, everything is going to be wrong.
'That's why we have to keep going with this momentum and trust each other because it's a big squad and everyone wants to show they deserve to play.'
'That's why you can put me and Michael Carrick at centre back. We're going to win because it's the team effort and team spirit. That's why I'm confident about the future. It was a big disappointment when we went out early in the Champions League. But I think it was a wake up call because maybe everyone looked at themselves in the mirror and said, "We can do much better".
'What the fans expect of every player, we are doing now. That's why I'm very pleased. Nothing is easy. It's because we're working hard. If we stop working hard and think only with the United name, everything is going to be wrong.
'That's why we have to keep going with this momentum and trust each other because it's a big squad and everyone wants to show they deserve to play.'
Manchester United have all of the qualities that a coach hopes to inspire and create in their own team, and whether you are a fan of the English Premier League title holders or not, it's hard not to appreciate the Manchester United way.
I really like your blog, getting the winning attitude is something for people in life, not just football or even sports. my brother in law is a huge Man U fan and we run a family business, he is always quoting Alex Ferguson to us. It does inspire us to pull together when we need to though.
ReplyDeleteBill
marketing consultants Manchester