Three Back As Wind Of Change Blows

Sir Alex Ferguson believes there's a wind of change at Spurs - hopefully it will not blow United away.

United produced a great first-half on Wednesday against Portsmouth, capped by two brilliant goals from Cristiano Ronaldo. A much sterner test awaits tomorrow as we head to White Hart Lane. Yet defeat is not an option, according to Fergie.

'I have to look at where the dangers are going to come from and I have to say to myself 'Will they go through the season undefeated?',' he said on Sky Sports News.

'Chelsea have done that in the past and so have Arsenal. So I'm taking nothing for granted. We may have to. It's getting really tight now.

'Chelsea have five players back from the Africa Cup of Nations after the 10th. Arsenal have the two Ivory Coast lads back as well, although they are looking favourites for the tournament.

'I'm hoping for an Ivory Coast and Ghana final. Avram Grant and Arsene Wenger know which final I'm hoping for. I'm even hoping there's going to be a replay.'

There was no need for a replay for United to see of Tottenham in the FA Cup but they demonstrated that they are a dangerous team - and as their home form is immeasurably better than that of their travels, we must be wary.

'We saw last Sunday there is a wind of change at Tottenham. The goals are normally reserved for White Hart Lane so goodness know what's going to happen tomorrow.

'If it's as open as that hopefully we can get the result we want. I'm expecting a very, very tough game, but an open game.'

As Arsenal travel to Manchester City, a side who always roll over and die when they face the gooners, we must win, no question. The initiative must not be handed back to Arsenal.

Unsurprisingly, it looks certain that Fergie will opt for his strongest line-up. Owen Hargreaves, Carlos Tevez and Ryan Giggs were all absent from the starting line-up on Wednesday night but they will surely be recalled.

The one question is whether Scholes will keep his place. The redheaded maestro was magnificent against Pompey but it is not certain that he is the best choice for a quick, high-tempo game.

Fergie might decide that the energy, enthusiasm and most importantly, pace of Anderson might serve us better. And Scholes can still change games coming off the bench.