Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 966 Sat. February 17, 2007  
   
Sports


Defining weekend for MU


Henrik Larsson believes the strength of Manchester United's squad will prove decisive as Sir Alex Ferguson's side begin a seven-day stretch that could determine whether or not they repeat their treble of 1999.

United face Reading at Old Trafford on Saturday in the FA Cup fifth round knowing that victory will move them into the last eight and on course for the first final at the newly rebuilt Wembley Stadium.

Then, three days later, Ferguson's side will resume their Champions League campaign in Lille before facing Fulham in a game that could extend their lead in the Premiership to nine points over second-placed Chelsea.

The United manager is certain to ring the changes over the coming week and will make an enforced change against Reading with striker Wayne Rooney missing through suspension.

That means Larsson will be partnered up front by either Louis Saha or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but the Swede insists United have the resources to cope with whatever the demanding programme throws at them.

"The season is entering a massively important stage," said Larsson. "And it's now that you really appreciate having a big squad of quality players.

"I thought Ji-Sung Park and Darren Fletcher did really well when they came in against Charlton and the fact that they scored the goals shows just how important it is to have guys like that who are an integral part of the set-up.

"When you have these other tremendous players coming in it's just a matter of doing things slightly differently. Each player offers something different to the team.

"In training, I look at the squad and see that anybody could start a game and United would be as strong as ever. There has been a great process of bringing players through and buying intelligently at the club," Larsson added.

"We have a lot of games coming up now over the next couple of weeks, but we train well and prepare well, so there is no reason why we can't take these games in our stride. Everybody is up for it."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Carrick are expected to return and Ferguson has once again moved to deny continuing reports that Ronaldo could move to Spain at the end of the season.

"Cristiano loves it here," he said. "He's in his best spell, he's improving and progressing fantastically as a footballer," the Scot added. "Without question, he loves it here."