Rio Ferdinand is confident Man Utd can win the title race after admitting the 6-1 humiliation in October provided an important wake-up call.
United defender confident of triumphing in title race
Rio Ferdinand is confident Manchester United can overhaul Manchester City in the title race after admitting the 6-1 humiliation in October provided an important wake-up call.
The Red Devils will be looking to draw level on points with their local rivals at the top of the table on Wednesday night when they travel to St James' Park to face Newcastle.
United have been in fine form over the past couple of months and traditionally grow stronger during the second half of a campaign.
They became league champions for a record-breaking 19th time last term and Ferdinand believes they will again emerge triumphant.
Asked what United have got in their favour, Ferdinand said in
The Sun: "Loads of things. I don't like to say we've got this and you haven't.
"It's all about doing it. Many players in our squad have done things but this is the most important one.
"It's not about remembering the past, it's about trying to create more history and be a part of the history of this club."
Tighten up
Ferdinand admits that the crushing defeat at home to Manchester City was a key turning point in United's campaign.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men, who meet City once again in the FA Cup on Sunday, had been in rampant goalscoring form before the Manchester derby but Ferdinand believes they were too vulnerable defensively.
He explained: "I'll be honest - and it pains me to say it - but it was probably one of the best things that happened to us.
"We were playing a very open kind of football. It made us sit back and think we've got to tighten up all over the pitch. If we do that, we have the players to exploit any other team when we go forward."
Ferdinand has been proud of the way United have performed since bowing out of the UEFA Champions League at the group stage, especially as Ferguson's resources have been stretched to the limit.
The defender added: "We've got a crazy amount of injuries and illnesses, yet we're still managing to get the results and long may that continue.
"The most important thing is the way the squad is playing now. The manager has said at the beginning of the season it's not about 11 men.
"Since we went out of the Champions League we've shown a great resolve in our squad."
