Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed the notion of United
maintaining an unbeaten record throughout the Premier League season
ahead of Monday night’s table topping clash with
Arsenal.
With no defeats in 15 matches, the Reds league form has drawn
comparisons with that of the 2003/04 Arsenal side, which achieved
the rare feat of winning the title without losing a single
game.
However, the United manager believes the unpredictability of
this year’s Premier League has put paid to any hopes of sustaining
an unbeaten record.
The boss told Magic 1152: “It won't happen
again. The time Arsenal did it they had 12 draws. It was a great
achievement but in this present league you cannot think for a
minute you will go through undefeated.
“It is an amazing league this year. We keep looking at the
points we have dropped and I am sure Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham
will all be saying the same. It is a self analysis that doesn't get
you anywhere. This is a funny league; we have definitely seen a
tightening up of it.
“It is like the Championship where you can win two games and be
back in a play-off position and then lose two and be back down to
fourth or fifth bottom. The Premier League is looking that way.
Sunderland were down near the drop positions, then they won a few
games and got a bit of consistency. Now they are challenging for a
European place. That seems to be the way this league is.”
United’s clash with the Gunners precedes a trip to face Chelsea
at Stamford Bridge next Sunday, in a fixture double-header that
provides an opportunity to open up a substantial lead in the title
race and gain the upper hand going into the New Year, though, Sir
Alex is keen to stress titles are won in May, not December.
“I don't think we need to gauge how good we are," he
added. "Our position in the last few years has told us that we
are one of the best teams in the country. Arsenal also come into
that category. The last few years ourselves and Chelsea have been
fighting it our for league titles. Before that it was ourselves and
Arsenal for many years.
“It is a massive game [against Arsenal] between two fantastic
football teams with great history. You can't help but think it is
going to be a fantastic game. I don't think whatever happens on
Monday will tell you one team is better than the other at this
moment in time though. What tells you something is the end of the
season when you find out who has won the league. Hopefully it is
us.”