Fergie wary of Black Cats

SIR ALEX Ferguson has hailed Sunderland’s recent win at Chelsea as “the perfect performance”.

Ferguson sends table–topping Manchester United into battle against the Black Cats at Old Trafford on Boxing Day already acutely aware of the challenge posed by Steve Bruce’s men.

A goalless draw with United at the Stadium of Light earlier this season forms part of a succession of positive results against the Premier League’s big guns by Sunderland this season.

Victory was achieved against Manchester City and draws collected against Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, in addition to that stalemate with United, which Ferguson regards as the most difficult away game his side have faced all season.

But eclipsing all those was the three–goal triumph at Stamford Bridge five weeks ago.

“In all the time I have been at Manchester United, I could probably point to six perfect performances,” said Ferguson. “They were absolutely brilliant.”

Ferguson has confirmed United expect Edwin van der Sar to retire at the end of the season.

The Dutchman celebrated his 40th birthday earlier this year yet, apart from a mistake against West Brom in October, has still been performing to high standards.

"We are planning for this being his last season," Ferguson said, of a player who has so far remained silent on the issue.