Fergie targets vital title fixtures
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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.''