Ferguson: Reading are the best set-piece team

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Saturday’s opponents Reading, especially praising their set-piece ability.

The Royals gave United an almighty scare in Saturday’s game, as they look the lead twice against the former Premier League champions. Two of Reading’s three goals came from set pieces and Ferguson was very complimentary of the Berkshire outfit, saying they have the best set piece delivery in the division.

The 70-year old Scotsman said: “It`s hard playing away from home in this division. Reading played well today, the delivery of their free kicks is fantastic – they are probably the best in the Premier League at delivering the ball into the box. They gave us a really hard time of it. We`ve got the players that can rescue us and that happened today.’

‘Every time the ball came near our box you were just praying! We never competed for a cross, but in fairness to Reading they have great deliverers of the ball – Shorey whips in fantastic crosses. But we should have been doing better. We could have been battered today, but thankfully we are always scoring goals.’

Towering defender Sean Morrison has no doubt added to this set piece threat, with the stat that 10 of Reading’s 19 goals in the Premier League season have come as a result of set pieces, do reflect Ferguson’s comments correctly. However, if we are going to rely on set pieces this season, it will surely not be enough to stay in the division.