Ferguson credits wife Cathy with bringing up the couple's three children as he pursued his stellar management career and, even though they have long since left home, it is clear who still rules the roost. "You'll not find a thing about my career in the house at all," the United boss told League Managers' Association magazine The Manager. "My wife, Cathy, is fed up with the whole thing. "When Alastair Campbell phoned her about my knighthood she said to him 'Do you not think he's had enough rewards?' "She's unbelievable. I can't even take a football book home or she will say 'What are you doing with that?"' Ferguson did not take his irritation at United's FA Cup demise to Manchester City home, instead opting to stay in London and watch Arsenal lose further ground thanks to their dramatic 1-1 draw with Liverpool. The result means United now require 13 points from their last six games to regain the title. And goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is confident there will be no problem raising spirits after that 1-0 Wembley defeat to City. "It won't be difficult to pick ourselves up," he said. "We know how important the league is. We are in first position, so we just have to make the best of it." The City clash betrayed signs of tiredness in a team that was largely based around the one that started the Champions League tie with Chelsea at Old Trafford four days earlier. That means changes are anticipated in addition to the return of Wayne Rooney from suspension and the absence of banned Paul Scholes. "We were a little bit tired (at Wembley)," said Van der Sar. "The pace of our game was not quick enough. "We have played a big number of games in the last three or four weeks and against Newcastle we must do better."
