David Moyes has backed his Manchester United strike force to ‘better’ any in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking at a press conference at United’s Carrington training complex on Friday, the Scot left no doubt over his confidence in the attacking options at his disposal.
Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney have both been in scintillating form, dovetailing effectively to provide 18 goals between them in all competitions with Rooney boasting an additional 15 assists, while Javier Hernandez has notched four goals from ten appearances.
“I think we compare with anybody in the Premier League,” Moyes said, when asked how he rated his frontline.
“I have been asked this a lot because there are quite a few strike partnerships in the Premier League and there are some very good centre forwards.
“As you would expect, we have got a partnership that can rival any other partnership and better them.”
Spurs took four points from the eventual champions last season, but their form is currently in a downward spiral, having not won in the league since October and accumulating a goal difference of minus seven in their last two games.
Conversely, United are reaping the benefits of the aforementioned Rooney and Van Persie partnership, with their last defeat coming against West Bromwich Albion in late September.
United face Andre Villas Boas’ men with last year’s 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford fresh in the mind but can take comfort in the knowledge that the most recent loss to Spurs prior to that came in May 2001.
Although Spurs are a different animal these days, United will hope to extend their unbeaten run to 12 games on Sunday on the back of their best away result in European competition on Wednesday, a 5-0 hammering of Bayer Leverkusen.
“Tottenham and United games are often very good encounters. It won’t be easy, but we will go down there to try to win the game,” said Moyes.
Matters then turned to the seemingly eternal qualities of Ryan Giggs as the veteran – who turned 40 on Friday – gears up for what could be his 954th United appearance, meaning the Welshman has played more Premier League games than Manchester City.
“He is respected by everybody in the dressing room, obviously because of what he has done and what he has achieved in football,” said Moyes.
“They [Giggs’ teammates] had one or two surprises for him. I think one was a coach’s watch – I think they are beginning to think about pushing him out of the dressing room.”
Image courtesy of MUTV via YouTube, with thanks.
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