Alex Ferguson takes Man Utd to St Andrews for training

Sir Alex Ferguson has tried to ease the pressure on his players as the Premier League title race intensifies by taking Manchester United on a golfing weekend to St Andrews.

United travelled to Scotland on Friday after the squad were told to turn up at Carrington with their bags packed.

The champions took part in some light training at the famous golf resort on Friday and will play golf on Saturday, returning on Sunday to their hotel ahead of Monday’s game at Blackburn.


As the mind games between the two Manchester rivals escalate, it could be interpreted as United wanting to look relaxed as City try to take over at the top of the table today by beating Sunderland.

But Ferguson is concerned that some of his less experienced players might be feeling the pressure after they looked edgy in a 1-0 win over Fulham on Monday.

He admitted: ‘The young ones are not accustomed to it, like Danny Welbeck, Ashley Young, David de Gea, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. The likes of Fabio and Rafael da Silva have been here two or three years so they are used to it. They gather experience that way and it hopefully helps them in the run-in.’

A souce told goal.com: 'Initially the players thought they might be going to somewhere exotic like Dubai.'

'Fergie wanted to keep the players guessing a bit because he wants complete isolation and for the trip to be away from the prying eyes of the media.

'The trip will involve a bit of training, some golf, and some rest and recuperation to relax the players ahead of the run-in.

'It is the first time in a title run-in that the manager has felt the need to take the pressure off like this.

'No-one has ever known anything like it. There was just a feeling among some of the staff that the younger players are on edge.'

It is perhaps surprising that Ferguson has decided to take his players away for such a short break at this time of year - but the United manager knows his players inside out and will recognise what is required.

He is desperate to secure a record 20th league crown to leave arch rivals City second best once again.

What a great manager... Heard Mancini had a show down with Balotelli on the City training ground....

Is Sundram bringing the Lions to Kranji Nsrcc too ??