We’re stronger than 1999! Sir Alex delighted with Man United squad
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says his current squad is stronger than the team that won the Treble in 1999
Sir Alex Ferguson believes that his current Manchester United squad is stronger than his Treble-winning class of 1999.
Ferguson’s side are 12 points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League title race and face Reading at Old Trafford in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday.
The Red Devils also picked up a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
And Ferguson feels that his United team are “much stronger” than the all-conquering 1999 side.
“We have a stronger squad now,” Ferguson said. “When we went to the [Champions League] final, [Roy] Keane and [Paul] Scholes were suspended but Henning Berg was the only injury.
“I still had to pull in a player [Jonathan Greening] who had only played once or twice in the first-team.
“He got a medal for being on the bench. That gives you an idea of the strength of the squad.”
With talk of United possibly completing another treble, Ferguson warned his side that Reading cannot be underestimated in the FA Cup.
“It is nice to look back on these things and think how it was done at that particular time,” said Ferguson.
“But the reality is that we should not get carried away, particularly in the FA Cup when anything can happen. You don’t want to be a shock.
“In many people’s eyes Monday would be, ‘yes, it’s Reading, we have just been to Madrid, it was a great night, Monday will take care of itself’.
“Monday can’t take care of itself. We have to take care of that.
“We must get a performance off the players that respects our opponents and also the fact the FA Cup can produce shocks.”
