Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Berbatov: It's us or Chelsea
TWELVE months ago United ended 2008 with two post-Christmas victories that helped catapult the Reds to the title. A Boxing Day win at Stoke followed by an Old Trafford triumph against Middlesbrough sparked an 11-game victory roll. It overturned a Premier League lead of six points held by Liverpool 12 months ago and ended with the Reds holding a seven-point lead by the time that run came to an end. Having won at Hull City on Sunday and ending 2009 with a home match against Wigan on Wednesday, the platform is there for a repeat. So far this term the champions have failed to build up a typical destructive run of wins. Only the post-Burnley sequence of five league triumphs was the true Reds. Now Dimitar Berbatov and Wes Brown are both sounding the clarion call for United to build up another head of steam. "We are in a great position," said striker Berbatov. "There are a lot of games left but I think it will be decided between us and Chelsea. I think we will come out on top. We have great players and we have a great chance. "We have had a difficult time with injuries but they are coming back now. The boss knows what to do about changing when needed because of the amount of games. Berbatov confidence "I am sure at the end of the season we will be on top. "The Hull win was a very important win for us. We felt we needed to do something after the 3-0 Fulham defeat. That was difficult to take. It wasn't good for the players. But we bounced back. "The gaffer told us before the game at Hull that we needed to win the match and now we have put pressure on Chelsea. "It was magnificent to have the defenders back. They are great players and you have to praise them for their performance at Hull because it is always difficult for defenders against them." Brown was among a returning trio in the back four along with Nemanja Vidic and Rafael. "It has been a funny old season. Teams are losing games to anyone," he said. "But now we have to start winning and keep it going. We have to finish the year with a win against Wigan. "We are in a confident mood now and we have to keep that going. "I cannot remember a time like it with so many injuries in the defence but we have handled it pretty well. Now some of us are back and I hope we can go on a nice little run. "Hopefully Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Jonny Evans and John O'Shea are not far behind us and that will be a great help." Do you think the title race will be between United and Chelsea? Have your say.
