Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes he possesses the best squad in the Premier League.
After a slow start to the season,The Red Devils have now hit their stride and a run of only one defeat in 23 matches in all competitions sees them topping the table.
In addition, United's defence has been impregnable of late after going a record-breaking 13 league matches without conceding a single goal.
After being questioned on Ferguson's best side, the vastly-experienced Scottish tactician said he does not have a favourite starting XI, insisting that it is now a squad game.
With United going strong in every competition this season, the Old Trafford chief believes he possesses the strongest squad in England's top flight.
"People sometimes ask me what I consider to be my best side, and the short answer is that I don't have one," said Ferguson.
Game-to-game basis
"I select the team that I consider is the best for each particular match. I have got a great many factors in mind, ranging from the tactical to who needs a rest and who we play in the next game.
"I can give you my best 14 or 15, but better than that, all I can say is that is a squad game and that we have a damn fine squad. In fact it is the best.
"Everyone has done so well and rallied around when we have had injuries that I'm beginning to dread picking the team.
"I feel guilty when I am forced to leave someone out who has not only done nothing wrong but who has played exceptionally well. It puts the club in a strong position, of course, but it doesn't make the manager's job very easy."
Business end
The 2008/09 campaign is now at the business end of the season and Ferguson is pleased his troops are showing the grit and determination needed to retain their Premier League title.
"We're at the time of the season where you expect the players to kick on," he continued. "We've seen it over the years.
"The present group I've got seem to have a gear where they can find. For instance, when we went to Stoke it was lively pitch and we'd just got back from Japan but we scraped a result because we never gave in.
"It was an important marker to lay down and, having come back from the World Club Cup in Japan, we needed to win that game. Once we won that, we've gone on."
After a slow start to the season,The Red Devils have now hit their stride and a run of only one defeat in 23 matches in all competitions sees them topping the table.
In addition, United's defence has been impregnable of late after going a record-breaking 13 league matches without conceding a single goal.
After being questioned on Ferguson's best side, the vastly-experienced Scottish tactician said he does not have a favourite starting XI, insisting that it is now a squad game.
With United going strong in every competition this season, the Old Trafford chief believes he possesses the strongest squad in England's top flight.
"People sometimes ask me what I consider to be my best side, and the short answer is that I don't have one," said Ferguson.
Game-to-game basis
"I select the team that I consider is the best for each particular match. I have got a great many factors in mind, ranging from the tactical to who needs a rest and who we play in the next game.
"I can give you my best 14 or 15, but better than that, all I can say is that is a squad game and that we have a damn fine squad. In fact it is the best.
"Everyone has done so well and rallied around when we have had injuries that I'm beginning to dread picking the team.
"I feel guilty when I am forced to leave someone out who has not only done nothing wrong but who has played exceptionally well. It puts the club in a strong position, of course, but it doesn't make the manager's job very easy."
Business end
The 2008/09 campaign is now at the business end of the season and Ferguson is pleased his troops are showing the grit and determination needed to retain their Premier League title.
"We're at the time of the season where you expect the players to kick on," he continued. "We've seen it over the years.
"The present group I've got seem to have a gear where they can find. For instance, when we went to Stoke it was lively pitch and we'd just got back from Japan but we scraped a result because we never gave in.
"It was an important marker to lay down and, having come back from the World Club Cup in Japan, we needed to win that game. Once we won that, we've gone on."
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