LONDON // Sir Alex Ferguson admitted to feeling a sense of relief after Ryan Giggs's goal enabled Manchester United to finish off Queens Park Rangers and stay on course for the Premier League title.
Rafael's wonderful first-half drive and Giggs's strike 10 minutes from time helped United secure a comfortable 2-0 away win over the bottom club.
United are now 15 points clear at the top of the standings, although Manchester City could narrow that gap against Chelsea today.
That is not something of concern to Ferguson, though. He was just pleased with another win and another clean sheet, which edges United even closer to a 20th title.
"Yeah, it is a good position, but you know the way we approach it is to win our next game," he told MUTV.
"That is the best way to do it, carry on doing that.
"I think it was more about determination and concentration at the back, in particular. We defended that part very, very well. It was a scrappy game at times and the pitch was lively.
"It is a tight ground and it was an ideal situation for a shock. Fortunately, we didn't get that. One goal is never enough, as you know.
"I thought we played much better in the second half, I must say. We created some good chances but obviously Ryan's goal with 11 or 12 minutes to go killed the game."
The only negative was an injury to talisman Robin van Persie. The Dutch international, whose 19 Premier League goals is as many as QPR have scored altogether this season, had to be replaced late in the first half due to a hip complaint.
"He collided with a camera," Ferguson explained.
"It seems he hit the base of it and he has got a very bruised hip."
Van Persie's substitution came moments after he forced Julio Cesar into a wonderful save from an equally impressive volley.
The striker latched onto a superb ball from Rafael, who had just cleared a Christopher Samba header off the line and netted a superb opener.
"I said to him he must have closed his eyes," Ferguson said with a smile when asked about Rafael's goal.
"He has three goals for us this season. The lad has had an absolutely magnificent season and is maturing all the time. He has had a fantastic game."
Ferguson was also quick to praise fellow goal scorer Giggs for another fine performance at Loftus Road, where he scored an iconic goal 19 years ago.
"He scored a great goal at that end actually all those years ago," he said. "He scored at that end in a game we beat them 4-1, I think. Paul Ince scored an overhead kick so he has got a good record here."
While Ferguson closes in on success, QPR counterpart Harry Redknapp's problems continue.
His side now have just 11 matches to claw themselves off the bottom of the table and out of trouble. Seven points currently separate them from safety, but Redknapp still believes his side can stay up.
"I thought we were bang in the game," he said. "The little right-back hits a 'worldie' - he won't hit another goal like that as long as he plays football. He's hit one out of the clouds that's gone in the top corner. Up until then there wasn't a lot in it.
"This leaves us bottom today, but we won't be bottom at the end of the season. I still feel we'll get out of it. Every game is important, they will be tough games.
"We need to get a team together on Monday, bed them in and work with them, and I think there's enough there to give us an opportunity.
"I'm still optimistic. You probably think I'm mad, but I don't think I am. Everybody else has written us off, but I haven't. I still feel we have a chance."
* Press Association
Dubai World Cup Carnival Card:
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8.15pm: Cape Verdi Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap $135,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap $175,000 (T) 1,600m
57%20Seconds
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VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
The specs: 2018 Genesis G70
Price, base / as tested: Dh155,000 / Dh205,000
Engine: 3.3-litre, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 370hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 510Nm @ 1,300rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.6L / 100km
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Championship play-offs, second legs:
Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 0
(Aston Villa advance 1-0 on aggregate)
Fulham 2
Sessegnon (47'), Odoi (66')
Derby County 0
(Fulham advance 2-1 on aggregate)
Final
Saturday, May 26, Wembley. Kick off 8pm (UAE)
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
'Moonshot'
Director: Chris Winterbauer
Stars: Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
Indika
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
