Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal's easy run-in counts for zero in hunt for glory, insists Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson believes the Premier League title race will go right to the wire and insists there are no favourites in this closest of races. [LNB] The Manchester United manager admits that Arsenal have the easier run-in on paper but has questioned whether that will be any advantage when the going gets tough. [LNB]United play Chelsea - who trail them by a point - next weekend while Arsenal, who are a further point behind, do not have to face either of their title rivals. [LNB] Run in: Manchester United are targeting seven wins out of seven, says Ferguson[LNB]Asked which posed the greatest threat to United, Ferguson said: 'I don't think there is a bigger challenger, I think we are all in the pot together. On paper Arsenal have the easier run in, but only on paper. At this time of the season I'm not sure that works, whether it means anything at all. [LNB]'At the end of the day you can drop a couple of points like Chelsea did at Blackburn on Sunday. All of a sudden your advantage on paper doesn't look so good. The name of the game is to win your games and hopefully we can do that.'[LNB] Ferguson will cross swords with Owen Coyle at Bolton tomorrow with his fellow Scot already having notched up a notable win over United this season when he was manager of Burnley. For the United boss, he knows a draw will not be enough. [LNB]'We have to have a win tomorrow, at this time of year losing points can be damaging,' added Ferguson. 'I think there will be some points dropped, not a lot, between the three teams. You have to make sure you don't drop as many as the other two. [LNB]'Chelsea's win the other night brings their goal difference to the same as ours and the goal difference could be important at the end of the season. I have said it a few times over the years and you get one of those feelings that maybe I'm going to be right this time. [LNB] Joy of six: Cesc Fabregas's penalty against West Ham last Saturday helped Arsenal to a sixth straight win and heaped the pressure on United and Chelsea[LNB]'However the only way to solve it from our perspective is to win our games starting with this one tomorrow. With seven games left it's countdown time.'[LNB] Bolton's direct tactics have been part of their make-up since Sam Allardyce was manager and Ferguson is not anticipating much change now that Coyle is there, at least not this season. [LNB] He said: 'From what I gather there is not much material difference in the way Bolton play in terms they have still got the two big lads up front, Elmander and Davies, they still have long throw-ins and free-kicks and corner kicks. We're used to that. [LNB] 'It will take them time to change - if he wants to change - that way of playing. You go to Bolton and it's a battle, simple and straightforward, it has always been that way and we have a big test tomorrow.'[LNB] Closing the gap: Didier Drogba's two goals at Portsmouth have brought Chelsea level with United on goal difference - which Ferguson says could prove crucial[LNB]Ferguson insists Wayne Rooney has no injury problems ahead of tomorrow's tea-time kick-off despite the England forward, who had a knee injury earlier this month, limping heavily as he left Old Trafford following Sunday's win over Liverpool. [LNB] 'He's okay, there's no problem,' said Ferguson. 'He had some bad bruising for a couple of weeks but he's played [since then] and there's no problems with the knee.'[LNB]Ferguson may start with Ryan Giggs, who came on as a substitute against Liverpool after five weeks out with a broken arm, while Paul Scholes is also available. [LNB]He believes the experience of Giggs, Scholes and Gary Neville could prove 'invaluable' in the nervous weeks ahead the team should be further strengthened by the return of John O'Shea from the start of April. [LNB]The Republic of Ireland defender had expected to be out for the rest of the season after picking up a serious leg injury in the World Cup play-off against France. [LNB] Fletcher hails the perfect timing of Ryan Giggs' return for Manchester UnitedALL THE WEEKEND BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM NEWS Nani signs new United deal as star tries to step into Ronaldo's bootsMANCHESTER UNITED FC
