United not a one-man team - Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists that his team is more than just a one-man team betting on Robin van Persie‘s goals.

The Holland international has already netted 21 goals , including 10 in his last 10 games, since Ferguson signed him from Arsenal in a £24million move that even Arsene Wenger declared he may have handed the title to his rivals.

The Scot saw his team work hard to a narrow victory over West Ham in Wednesday night’s FA Cup replay after giving top scorer Robin van Persie a rare rest.

Ferguson has showered praise on the Dutch striker but quickly dismissed the assumption that United are a hazy force without van Persie in their side.

“I don’t go along with the idea we have become a one-man team,” Ferguson told United Review.

“There was a time in our history when one man did carry us for a while. Eric Cantona kept us in contention with his goals when a few others were off the boil.

“But things are quite different now.

“Javier Hernandez has weighed in with 12 goals while Wayne Rooney is currently on nine.

“Two defenders, Johnny Evans and Patrice Evra, have chipped in with eight between them so it doesn’t stand up to see us as a one-man band overly dependent on Van Persie, brilliant as he has been at both making and taking goals.”

However, Ferguson agrees with Roberto Mancinis ‘s claim that missing out on Van Persie could cost his team the title.

“He is absolutely relishing his new challenge,” he said.

“He is the right player, at the right club, at the right time.

“He has a winning mentality, but as he points out, it is one that goes right through the squad and one that will hopefully see us push on in both league and the cups and successfully navigate what is a busy and challenging period.”