Manchester United manager Sir Alex
Ferguson admits a six-day period later this month will
be key to his Premier League leaders winning back the title.
The Red Devils host Arsenal at Old Trafford on December 13, with
a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea less than a week later,
during what Ferguson describes as a "significant" period.
Ferguson has earmarked those back-to-back fixtures against their
title rivals as vital to United's chances of wrestling the trophy
away from defending champions Chelsea.
"You always want to win those games because they are really
significant,'' Ferguson told Inside United. "We have
managed to claw ourselves into a position where we are two points
ahead of Chelsea, so the game at Stamford Bridge and Arsenal's trip
to Manchester will certainly be very important, there's no doubt
about that.
"We saw that last season - some big decisions didn't go our way
in the two matches against Chelsea and they ended up costing us
important points.''
A clear foul by Didier Drogba
on Wes Brown was
missed by the referee as John Terry
tucked home the winner for Chelsea against United at Stamford
Bridge last season, a victory that ultimately proved pivotal in the
Blues winning the title. Now United have the edge again, even if
their momentum has been hit by that shock four-goal Carling Cup
defeat at West Ham.
Ferguson is certain to make changes for Saturday's trip to
Blackpool, with Wayne Rooney,
Nemanja Vidic,
Rio Ferdinand
and Dimitar
Berbatov - fresh from his record-equalling five-goal
haul against Blackburn - set for a recall.
"You are aware that you have to use your squad well because
there are so many games, particularly during that week between
Christmas and New Year,'' Ferguson added. "Three matches in six
days is a lot. It is a hectic period but we have the players to
cope. Hopefully we're in the right position come the start of
January.''