Fergie ready to go to wire

United boss expecting tough fight to retain their title

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 12th February 2008

Fergie ready to go to wire

Ferguson: Still in with a shout

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Sir Alex Ferguson has told Sky Sports News that he expects the title race to be closer than ever this year.

With the top three sides separated by just eight points, the battle to claim the Premier League crown is far from over and looks likely to run into the final weeks of the season.

Arsenal are currently at the summit, five points clear after a weekend which saw them win at home to Blackburn, while United and Chelsea dropped points against Manchester City and Liverpool respectively.

Ferguson admits that while the Gunners may currently be in the driving seat there is still a long way to go before the silverware is handed out and he knows from experience that a lot could happen yet.

Enthralling

"It was an important weekend for Arsenal with ourselves and Chelsea dropping points," the United boss told Sky Sports.

"But as I said some weeks ago, some points will be dropped by all the teams and there's a long way to go.

"It's getting interesting now. It's going to be a really good tight finish, something which the spectators and the neutrals will be enthralled by.

"But we know the job we've got to do, with Arsenal still to come to us and they've got to go to Chelsea.

"I said at the start of the season that I thought it would go down to the wire."

Comments (13)

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Hamza Yaqub(birmingham city supporter hate man u and everton (Birmingham City fan) says...

Hi it's me again. It's a different story now with MAN U at the top. If Arsenal want to win they will have to win at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford. They are dropping too many points. They need to win their remainig 8 games and all of them are not easy except the one against Derby(no offfence Derbu players and suppporters) But it's getting more excited at the foot of the table now. Derby are gone and Fulham are gone it's between Sunderland,Birmingham, Bolton, Wigan and Middlesborough!

Posted 08:23 20th March 2008

Mash Amuka (Arsenal fan) says...

I believe the attitude of the Gunners (which is take one game at a time) will continue to work to their advantage. The power of the underdog has all the attributes of a fox!

Posted 11:05 13th February 2008

Waiki Alfred camara (Arsenal fan) says...

I think Arsenal will go all the way, but Man United will be very close to them.

Posted 10:34 13th February 2008

John Doe (Manchester United fan) says...

Comment to Rick D: Why should the city fans be praised? I don't understand why a big fuss should be made of something that any normal human being would do - which is to respect the dead gracefully. What is it you want? A medal because you acted like humans?

Posted 10:24 13th February 2008

Michael Coughlan (Manchester United fan) says...

Don't City fans drone on and on and on (Rick D). Ferguson applauded the City fans at the match immediately after the minute's silence. He hardly ignored the gesture made by the supporters of Manchester City in observing a minute's silence for one of their former players (Frank Swift) who perished in Munich.

Posted 10:22 13th February 2008

Paul S (Manchester United fan) says...

Rick D, yes it was a well observed minute's silence, but it just goes to shows the state football is in when fans expect to be praised for keeping their mouth shut for a minute to respect the dead!

Posted 09:49 13th February 2008

Hamza Yaqub says...

I am a Birmingham City supporter and I think that Arsenal could go on to win it. They have to draw at Old Trafford. They've beaten Chelsea before at the Emirates and they are surely going to go for a win here at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal have dropped points, against Birmingham and Middlesborough. They have to come at St Andrews and try to win (which won't be easy).

Posted 08:43 13th February 2008

Ian Makgabana says...

Arsenal just have to keep a level head for them to get this one. They would be wise not to strain their keys players, so should use their reserves for some of these 'smaller' games. It will be tough, but I think they have what it takes.

Posted 08:31 13th February 2008

Daniel Cross (Arsenal fan) says...

I think it will be between Arsenal & Man Utd, i think chelsea are to far off they still have Arsenal and Utd to go there but i think it will be Arsenal and Utd. I think if arsenal can get a draw at Old Trafford and A Draw at Stamford Bridge then we should win but if we lose it will be a completely different story. I feels strange that i look at the table and see arsenal there as we were only expected to win the micky mouse cup this season and we are battling for a treble!

Posted 17:18 12th February 2008

James O'brien (Manchester United fan) says...

The big games between the top 3 will be decisive in the outcome of this title race. Additionally, you have to feel this is a big week for United. If they win three out of three against Arsenal, Lyons & Newcastle they will be right back in it. However, if they were to pick up nothing then the title will be heading for North London. I for one think this next week will be massive...

Posted 17:13 12th February 2008

Danny Whelan (Hearts fan) says...

I believe the title race is far from over and there will be many points dropped by each of the teams before the season is finished. I believe experience could be the key to man utd catching arsenal. I believe if arsenal slip up once, the pressure will get to them, Chelsea aren't out of it yet but they have alot of points to catch up on, maybe too many.

Posted 17:04 12th February 2008

James Otoo (Arsenal fan) says...

it will go down the wire but am happy that they now recognise our potential of winning the title when fro the start nobody gave us any chance at all and we were being rediculed. go gonner go and come may, we will be crown undisputed champions.

Posted 16:50 12th February 2008

Rick D (Manchester City fan) says...

I think its a shame that Fergie hasn't commented on the behaviour of City fans on Sunday, nor actually, has he shown an appropriate level of good grace in the beating that City handed out to his team. I'd have thought that, bearing in mind the occasion and the fantastic efforts made by City to ensure the event was a success, backed up by City's great supporters, that Fergie might have shown a little more humility and grace in defeat, as opposed to fleeing the stadium to go and promote another overseas tour.

Posted 16:44 12th February 2008
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