Source: Team_Talk
Fergie: Blues battles will be pivotal
Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's meetings with Chelsea will decide the outcome of this season's Premier League title race.[LNB] The Red Devils finished one point adrift of the Stamford Bridge side last season after suffering home and away defeats to Carlo Ancelotti's men.[LNB]Despite the regular threat of Arsenal and the ambition of Manchester City, Ferguson feels it is the reigning champions who are their main rivals this term.[LNB]"The Premier League is such a difficult league, it's almost tribalism and you can't dismiss that impact when it comes to winning the Premier League," the Scot told CNN International.[LNB]"I always look at the team that wins the league the year before, you have to have a target to try to work on. [LNB]"It's up to the rest, including us, to do that and Chelsea are the champions. They've had a good start to the season and I look upon them as the main danger to us. [LNB]"The games that will matter will probably be the ones against each other. Last year we lost both of those games and therefore that decided the title." [LNB]Ferguson missed Wednesday night's 5-2 Carling Cup third-round triumph away to Scunthorpe as he was in Spain scouting forthcoming UEFA Champions League opponents Valencia.[LNB]The vastly-experienced coach has identified Real Madrid as a threat in Europe's Premier club competition this term as they are now under the guidance of former sparring partner Jose Mourinho.[LNB]He added: "You expect great improvement from Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho. [LNB]"Barcelona are still the most attractive team and they will be one of the main dangers with Inter Milan the most difficult to beat. [LNB]"They've all got their different qualities, but it's such an exciting tournament, you can't help but look forward to it. The Champions League is the most fantastic competition now."
