Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted to see Manchester United battle their way
to three points at Sunderland and edge a step closer to the Premier League
title.
United required a helping hand en route to claiming a seventh straight
success in the league, and an 18-point lead at the summit, with a Titus Bramble
own goal seeing them to a narrow 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland, who are scrapping for their lives towards the foot of the
table, made life difficult for the Red Devils during a spirited second-half
display and Ferguson admits his side had to dig deep to get over the line.
"I think the players have galvanised themselves - the team spirit,
the concentration, the focus in every game."
Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson
He told Sky Sports: "It was a battling performance by the players.
We picked up two or three injuries along the way and it was courage that got us
through in the second half. It means we will go into the Man City game with at
least a 15-point lead.
"The first half we did well, second half we give credit to
Sunderland because they gave it a real go. I thought we had lost David de Gea
for a moment, he was out for a few minutes, but he got up and has played a
really great part for us.