Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Everton manager and fellow countryman Walter Smith ahead of their meeting at Old Trafford. Speaking exclusively to Leaguemanagers.com, the Manchester United boss revealed that he believes Smith has managed very well in difficult circumstances at Goodison. United go into Saturday's game fifteen points clear at the top of the Premiership having won six of their last seven league games. Everton meanwhile have recorded just one win since the beginning of December and have found themselves sliding to fifteenth in the table, five points above the relegation zone.
Sir Alex believes his counterpart has done an excellent job with the Merseyside club although certain sections of Toffees faithful have become frustrated with their team's apparent lack of progress.
“Walter's done fantastic,” he said. “He's made a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
“He's had injuries upon injuries and had to sell a dozen players or more. The reason he's been able to do that is through his management skills and experience.
“All his years at Dundee United and Rangers, you get a benefit out of that and that's why he's never panicked.
“He's kept that steely determination right and I think he's getting the rewards from it and we all sincerely hope he stays up because he's had a rough run with injuries lately.”
Talking about his preparations for United's third game in six days, he admitted that he would be changing the line-up, especially with the resumption of the Champions League coming up.
”It was a tough game in midweek at Sunderland and the fact that we played on Sunday, I'll make two or three changes,” he disclosed.
“I'm going to rest one or two in view of the fact that they've had a lot of football in the last few months and I've these important games coming up soon.
“It's not about complacency at all. You have to use the resources you've got available. We've got a big squad and some of them need to play.”
Having been knocked out of the FA Cup by West Ham, United returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Sunderland on Wednesday and the manager confessed that Peter Reid's side made it difficult for them at the Stadium of Light.
“It's always a test - a mental test. Sunderland play in a particular way.
”The players are very committed, they have a great team spirit, so it's always difficult to get possession.
“But for the times we got possession, we were very wasteful. That's the area in which we were disappointing.”
For Walter Smith's
thoughts on the game click
HERE.
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