Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that his side had enjoyed a ‘good day’ after they saw off Wigan Athletic 2-0 to draw level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.
United took advantage of their rivals losing 1-0 at Birmingham City, with their win over the Latics at Old Trafford also seeing Wayne Rooney return to action as a substitute.
Ferguson told MUTV: “While it wasn’t a great performance, it was competent and if you’d asked me at the start of the day, would I have taken joint top spot at the end of it, I would have said yes.
“It’s been a good day for us, no question about that.”
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Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti has urged his players not to be too downhearted after a 1-0 loss at Birmingham City led to their lead at the top of the Premier League disappearing.
The Blues have now lost three of their last four league games, but Ancelotti sees no reason to get carried away by a mini-slump.
He commented: “I’ve already said to the players ‘don’t lose confidence because you played good football’. The result is frustrating but they deserved to win.
“It is a strange Premier League this season. There are a lot of opportunities for teams to close the gap at the top. We are losing opportunities but so are other teams.
“A month ago I said when we were doing well that there would be difficult moments ahead. This is one of them.”
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has rubbished fresh rumours linking England winger Ashley Young with a January move away from the club.
The 25-year-old continues to be linked with Interest from Tottenham Hotspur, but Houllier insists that there is nothing concrete behind such talk.
He told the Daily Star Sunday: “Every time a player is available, Tottenham are mentioned.
“I’m sure Harry Redknapp must be wondering what’s going on, but I can tell you the reports about Ashley and Spurs are not keeping me awake at night.
“That’s because I can say here and now that Ashley Young will not be going anywhere in January. Absolutely not.”
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has brashly hailed his side as the best in the world ahead of his side’s El Clasico clash with Barcelona at the Camp Nou in a week’s time.
Ramos was speaking after helping his side thrash Athletic Bilbao 5-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, a win which came on the same day that Barca destroyed Almeria 8-0.
Spain right-back Ramos told his club’s official website: “I hope football fans enjoy a great match next week and that we bring a win back to Madrid.
“We don’t need to pay attention to anyone but ourselves. We have our own identity and we hope to stay on track. This is the best team in the world by far.”
England’s Ian Poulter held off a high-class field to seal a one-shot victory at the Hong Kong Open.
The 34-year-old shot a final round 67 to finish one shot better off than compatriot Simon Dyson and Italian starlet Matteo Manassero, with Northern Ireland duo Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy ending three and four shots back respectively
