Manchester United must improve, warns Sir Alex Ferguson

11 April 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson returns to his old Ibrox stomping ground tonight demanding that his Manchester United players "waken up".

United have somehow emerged with four points and a place alongside Chelsea at the top of the Premier League after their last two games, even though by Ferguson's admission they "could have been beaten by six" at Aston Villa and were not much better on Saturday against a Wigan side who had two men sent off.

Ferguson knows United cannot rely on the failings of others indefinitely, and while tonight involves a switch of focus to the Champions League, where his team have been impeccable since that opening-day draw with Rangers at Old Trafford, he accepts now would be a perfect time to hit full throttle.

"It is time to waken up," said former Rangers player Ferguson.

After a brief break in Dubai, another week's intensive conditioning work in Oregon and some time spent working at the Carrington training ground, Wayne Rooney is ready to face Rangers and show the world all his talent still remains after a troubled spell in his career.

"Absolutely," agreed Ferguson, when asked if Rooney should regard it as a fresh start. "There is no question about that.

"His fitness is good and maybe it will take two or three games but they will help to get him back as quick as we can."

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