Night on the tiles

Night on the tiles

LOVELY BUBBLY ... Rio gets the party started in United's dressing room

RIO FERDINAND celebrated Manchester United’s 20th title and roared: “We took the roof off tonight.”

United romped to the crown with a stunning demolition of Aston Villa.

And the win left delighted boss Alex Ferguson telling Roberto Mancini that United were by far the best team in the league.

The Manchester City boss had claimed there was nothing between the two sides despite the yawning gap at the top of the table.

But Ferguson said: “I read his quote and he is right in one respect. In the games between us there was nothing in it but in the other games it has been different.

“We are a far better team than Manchester City at beating other teams. He doesn’t recognise we have been better in the other games.”

And defender Ferdinand was also delighted to put last year’s title heartbreak behind him when they dramatically lost the crown to City on goal difference.

He said: “Winning can’t ever get boring. It’s always sweet when you win the title and it’s nice to do it at Old Trafford in the right way — in style — and not on goal difference. To win it outright and to win it comfortably.”

United have sewn up the title with four games remaining and are now aiming to win the final four games to establish a new Premier League record of 96 points.

Do that and Ferguson believes nobody can argue that this team deserves to stand among his best.

Ferguson said: “We have, what, 84 points? And at this stage of the season we have never done that.

“That pedestal is there, the players have joined that pedestal, and we have some outstanding young players. This team must bear comparison. I’m trying to think of a player who has scored a goal like Robin van Persie’s volley tonight.

“You look around this team and players like Rafael will end up being compared to Neville.

“Jones, Ferdinand and Vidic are comparable to all the defenders we have had. I’m not saying they are better but great players are great players.”

Now Ferguson believes things can only get better.

He added: “We have a nucleus of players, we expect them to improve. We are not asking too much of them to improve and I think they will.

“Rafael has had an incredible season, the impetuosity of youth has gone. David De Gea has also improved and Jones can be one of our best ever players.

“He has a drive about him and at 21 years of age he is going to be some player.

“Winning the league is important for the players. It will help them.”

For Ferguson, a 13th title as manager at United clearly meant as much as any of them

Fergie said: “It is always special when win it.

“We had to focus on how we lost it last year. It was about winning and then concentrating on winning the next game. Making sure we didn’t have an inferior goal difference. That was the key for us.

“It’s a title but the first was the best because it was our first for years and took the pressure off.”

Asked, if at 71, he still felt as energised as ever for future challenges Fergie quipped: “Look at me, this has knocked 10 years off me! The tablets are great.”

And Ferdinand added: “It just shows the resilience of the squad.

“A lot of other teams would have fallen away, we played Liverpool a few seasons ago when they were fighting us for the title.

“We beat them and they have not been seen since. That shows you the difference in mentality and character that this club has.”

source. sun uk