Fergie wants home fortress

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By Chris Burton   Last updated: 10th January 2009

Fergie wants home fortress

Ferguson: Has eyes on the prize

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Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's home form will be crucial to their Premier League title dreams.

The Red Devils have dropped just two points at Old Trafford so far this season, during a 1-1 draw with Newcastle on the opening day.

The solid foundations they have laid on home soil have helped to keep them in the hunt for top-flight glory, with United sitting just seven points off the pace with two games in hand.

Both of those fixtures will be at the Theatre of Dreams, against Wigan and Fulham, and Ferguson is well aware of the importance placed on taking maximum points from those games.

"Our home form has to be 100 per cent to give us an outstanding chance of winning the league," said the Scot.

"In the run-in, you're always going to drop points. We've dropped points in the run-in in the past, but you just hope you don't drop as many points as other teams. That's what it comes down to.

"But, obviously, our home record, which is good, needs to be that again.

Advantage

"The two games we have in hand gives us the opportunity to close the gap on those clubs at the top. Those two games are at home and it's important we take advantage of that.

"But the first thing is to win Sunday's game (against Chelsea). That's the one that can set us on our way."

This weekend's clash with the Blues promises to make for intriguing viewing, with both sides looking to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool.

Ferguson admits as much, but feels the job security he has at Old Trafford gives him the edge over his Stamford Bridge counterpart Luiz Felipe Scolari.

"The main difference between Chelsea and ourselves is that they've changed their management structure three times in recent seasons," he said.

"The longevity I have here gives me the ability to look at the bigger picture all the time.

"I can look and plan for maybe three of four years ahead, whereas a manager coming into another club doesn't have that same time."