Ferguson still feels strain of title battles

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits he still gets nervous during title run-ins despite having spent almost a quarter of a century at Old Trafford.

Ferguson, 68, took over at United in 1986 and is battling Chelsea and Arsenal for a record fourth straight Premier League title, which would take his tally of English championships to 12.

Yet the veteran manager claims he will always feel anxiety before his team’s matches no matter how experienced he is. And he feels that even the managers that seem calm on the outside are struggling with inner turmoil.

“You still get keyed up for games and it’s part of it. It’s that time when players are doing their warm-up that you’re on your own in a sense and your staff are away doing their jobs,” Ferguson said.

“It’s alright at home matches because you’re in your office but away from home you’re killing time, walking about or sitting in the dressing room.

“We’re all the same, whether you’re top of the league or bottom of the league, that’s what football does to you.

“If it wasn’t that way we’re all in the wrong job. I think it tells you, you still care about the game.

“Managers are the subject to that more than anyone, that uncertainty, the anxiety, apprehension about every game you play in, simply because the result is important to you.

“Some people are quite relaxed about the game and don’t show great emotions but they still care.

“Deep down you’re probably turning inside out the same as the rest of us because that’s what the game does to you.

“The thing for managers is the win, lose, draw situation. You aim to win and you can’t lose too many or you lose your job. There’s no-one more directly responsible for results as the manager.

“We’re all subject to winning games or we’re on the dole (unemployment) line.”

The Scot remains as forthright as ever and only this season has been punished for outspoken criticism of referee Alan Wiley, has hit out at neighbours Manchester City and was involved in a heated touchline row with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

He saw the midweek fracas involving Manchester City’s Roberto Mancini and Everton’s David Moyes as further evidence of the pressure that managers are under.

He added: “Mancini wanted to rush the game and Davey was 2-0 up and it would have been interesting if he’d kept the ball for a second or two longer!

“The good thing was that Roberto apologised which was big and they had a glass of wine after.”

Ferguson, whose side travel to Bayern Munich in the Champions League next week, believes that Portuguese winger Nani, who has signed a new contract to keep him at Old Trafford until 2014, is finally showing signs of consistency.

Nani arrived from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 but although his form in previous years has been fitful, his performances have improved over the last few months.

Ferguson said: “We know about Nani’s fantastic talent and he’s got two great feet, he’s good in the air, he’s brave, he’s a great trainer, and is mature.

“That applies to a lot of 20-odd-year old players and there are good signs with that and we’re happy with him.

“We’ve been negotiating for a couple of months now and we’re delighted he’s signed his contract. In the last few weeks his form has been better.”