Sir Alex Ferguson admits surprise at Manchester United's 15-point advantage - The Independent

Sir Alex Ferguson is shocked Manchester United are 15 details clear in the Premier League subject race. Subsequent Manchester City's decline at Everton just before the international break, United need only 13 more points from their remaining nine games to clinch a record 20th championship. They may not even need that many given City visit Old Trafford on April 8, and the feeling is Ferguson has already set his sights on eclipsing United's record 18-point winning margin from 2000. It's truly been the most effective recovery from having the concept snatched from their knowledge by Sergio Aguero with virtually the very last end of the prior plan. And one which Ferguson did not expect. "With Manchester City coming on the scene within the last few year or two and Chelsea and Arsenal and Tottenham, you have groups vying for that top-four position," Ferguson told Sirius XM. "I expected it to be really limited. "The first position was that after last time, we desired to make sure on goal difference it was not lost by us, and that has increased significantly. "But I never chose to be 15 points clear during this period of the season." It has given some flexibility to Ferguson with his choices within the Easter weekend, when United are pitched in to two important activities in the room of 48 hours. Subsequent Saturday's lunch visit to Sunderland - which could move United 18 points obvious given City aren't in action until slightly later - the Red Devils should prepare for Monday's FA Cup quarter-final replay with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. As one of the participants not being troubled by international duty, Rio Ferdinand can get significant involvement following his controversial trip to Qatar, although Ryan Giggs, Nemanja Vidic and Anderson must also be clean. "Every instructor is praying that their participants return fit," said Ferguson. "They played last Friday and they're playing today. Once I know later tonite how many minutes each player has played, I'll start to consider my group for Saturday. "I have to ensure I've some quality in the group because we also have Chelsea on Monday lunch. "It is just a big request our squad and anything we need to focus on because I need to make sure I find the right teams." Meanwhile, Ferguson has reiterated his declare that Paul Gascoigne is the person he most regrets missing out on. Gascoigne is attempting to piece his life back together after another episode of drinking that left many of his friends fearing for his future. No-one knows what could have occurred had Gascoigne chosen to become listed on United rather than Tottenham when he'd the chance in 1988. But the charismatic former England midfielder wishes his life had taken an alternative path, and so does Ferguson. "I have always said when Paul Gascoigne thought we would visit Tottenham before Manchester United it was a big mistake," he said. "He often regretted that. "He was an excellent footballer. He was the very best player England produced because the days of Bobby Charlton." Pennsylvania

Via: AC Ajaccio - Toulouse - French Ligue 1