Ferguson will never lose his hunger: Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says the secret of Alex Ferguson’s success at Manchester United is his unquenchable thirst for silverware.

Wenger hopes to make Ferguson wait for the Premier League title by denying United the point they need to guarantee an 18th English crown when Arsenal visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

But Wenger knows United are almost certain to secure the 11th Premier League title of Ferguson’s reign before the end of the season and he is convinced the 67-year-old Scot’s hunger for more trophies is keeping United at the top of the tree.

“I believe until the last day of your life, the real hunger never goes,” Wenger said.

“That is nothing to do with the number of trophies you have won or the amount of money you have made.

“You either want to win in life, or you do not want to win in life. It is as simple as that.

“It is only difficult to accept for people who do not have that drive.

“People who do have that drive, understand that the only thing which matters at the end of the day is how much you want to be successful.”

After three years without a Premier League title between 2003 and 2006, United are on course for a third successive English league success, face Barcelona in the Champions League final and have already won the Club World Cup and League Cup this season.

Wenger is full of admiration for the way Ferguson has constructed a team capable of dominating in domestic and European competition.

“United bounced back very well, and credit to them,” he said. “They have bought very well and invested very well. Today, they look the best team in England – and they are.

“That is credit to Ferguson as well, but it also shows that nothing is definite, it can all turn very quickly.”

In contrast, Arsenal have gone four years without silverware but Wenger believes his young squad provides plenty of hope for the future.

“I believe the group has come forward since November,” he added. “We have had a long unbeaten run in the Premier League, but not mature enough to win the FA Cup or the Champions League.

“There are no regrets with my commitment, certainly not. I worked harder than ever this year.

“I am here to produce what I can. If it is not good enough, it is not good enough.

“At the end of the day you can give as much as you can and it is down to other people to assess the situation.”