sport football teams manchester-united 8483621 ----- # Arsenal v Manchester United: team now able to win trophies without a reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo ## Sir Alex Ferguson claims Manchester United's collective strength has enabled his team to overcome the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and put the club on the brink of Premier League and Champions League success. ![Arsenal v Manchester United: team now able to win trophies without a reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo][1] Happy unit: Sir Alex Ferguson horses around with his players Photo: ACTION IMAGES [![Mark Ogden][2]][3] By [Mark Ogden][4] 10:30PM BST 29 Apr 2011 [Follow Mark Ogden on Twitter][5] [Comments][6] [**United**][7] can move to within a victory of a record 19th domestic title if they defeat [**Arsenal**][8] at the Emirates on Sunday. Three more points against Chelsea on May 8 would confirm the championship for United. Having sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a world record £80m in Jun 2009, United were only able to lift the Carling Cup last season, but Ferguson believes that his team is now able to win silverware without a reliance on the stellar abilities of one player. "I think that teams always win the big competitions although an individual can make a difference, as Ronaldo did many times." Ferguson said. "But Wayne Rooney and Chicarito are making the difference now and (Antonio) Valencia's form is making a difference. "Individuals make a difference in that way, but if you look at the work-rate of our team collectively against Schalke on Tuesday night, that is what we try to aim for. ## Related Articles * [Hernandez crucial to United's destiny][9] 29 Apr 2011 * [Berbatov available for Arsenal clash][10] 29 Apr 2011 * [United will target Arsenal defence][11] 29 Apr 2011 * [Fletcher makes case for United return][12] 28 Apr 2011 * [Ferguson: United lack 'Ronaldo' factor][13] 29 Apr 2011 * [Arsenal v Man United: preview][14] 29 Apr 2011 "The collective unit was first class and if we do achieve anything, it will be the collective that does it but individuals do make the difference." Ronaldo's inability to prevent Real from a 2-0 defeat against Barcelona on Wednesday was followed by comments from the Portuguese complaining about the tactics deployed by coach Jose Mourinho. But while Ferguson concedes that Ronaldo enjoyed his most successful period at Old Trafford, he admits that United are unlikely to be able to tempt him to back to Manchester. He said: "I hope (he regrets leaving United). Ronaldo had a great time here, but he is at a great club now too. "I spoke to him after the game (against Barcelona) and he is enjoying being in Madrid. "He had a great time here, we got six years out of him, We got him as a kid and he went to Madrid a man and though he might not have been at his best he is still a great player. "It's difficult to say whether he would come back, though. It would be very difficult." Ferguson, who expects fit-again Darren Fletcher to return against Schalke next Wednesday, insists United can win the title in style by beating Arsenal and Chelsea. He said: "People have been inferring for some time that this is Arsenal's chance to beat us a their ground and win the league and it was Chelsea's chance to beat us at Old Trafford and win the league. "I take a different view and my view was why can we not win these games? The form we are in we have a chance of doing that. "They are not easy games but they are not going to be easy games for Arsenal or Chelsea either. They are difficult games but we will try to win them." Meanwhile, Ferguson has added his voice to the condemnation of vile chants from supporters in the wake of Manchester City fans chanting Munich-related songs earlier this week. He said: "It is a sad reflection on society. We are in a different society. There are a lot of things that appall me in life. "You see some of the crimes that are committed today. But there is nothing we can do about it." [X][15] Share & bookmark Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! 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