Rodgers: Reds will make it a close fight

SWANSEA boss Brendan Rodgers is backing Manchester United to push local rivals City all the way in the race for the Barclays Premier League title.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side claimed a fifth win and clean sheet in a row after Javier Hernandez capitalised on a calamitous error by Angel Rangel to grab the only goal in their 1–0 victory at the Liberty Stadium.

That meant Swansea suffered their first home defeat of the season, but more importantly for Ferguson and company it ensured they remain just five points adrift of City at the top of the table.

City maintained their unbeaten start to the season as they impressively ended Newcastle’s unbeaten run with a 3–1 success at the Etihad Stadium but, after seeing United turn in a clinical, efficient display in South Wales, Rodgers does not see the title chase turning into a one–horse race.

He said: “The Manchester United players are genuine winners, it is their mentality to keep going until the end. They are experienced winners and they know what it takes. They will just keep chipping away.

“They knew that this was a difficult game for them, but they have come out the other side with a victory. United will continue to chase. City have really come to the party but Manchester United will always be there.”

While the visitors, with Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidic their stand–out performers, always appeared to have the game under control after Hernandez’s 11th–minute strike, Swansea had a handful of bright periods and were left to rue a terrible miss by winger Scott Sinclair, who missed his kick in front of an open goal.

Ferguson applauded his side’s defensive display, but midfielder Ryan Giggs, who returned from a hamstring injury to make his first league start on Welsh soil, believes the champions will have to raise their game to launch a genuine title tilt.