Source: SKY_Sports
Fergie can smell success
Sir Alex Ferguson believes his Manchester United side have caught the pleasant scent of success.
The Red Devils have already tasted World Club Cup and Carling Cup glory this season, but are hoping to add the Premier League title and UEFA Champions League crown to their burgeoning trophy cabinet.
They currently sit three points clear at the top of English top flight, with a game in hand on nearest challengers Liverpool, while they have also booked a date with Barcelona in the final of Europe's premier club competition.
United have, of course, been through all of this before and Ferguson is hoping that experience will stand them in good stead over the course of the forthcoming weeks.
"The players are smelling the big games now," he said.
"They like that big-game situation. They have proved they can handle it and they are hitting top form at the right time.
"It is ours to win (the Premier League title) in the sense of the points we are ahead of our opponents. With the form we are in, we have a good chance."
Improving
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has played a major role in United's recent resurgence, with Ferguson of the opinion that the winger is reproducing the kind of form which saw him named World Player of the Year for his efforts in 2008.
"I am not surprised at Cristiano's recent level of performance," said Ferguson.
"He is a young man who is still improving because he is nowhere near his maturity.
"Cristiano is coming good just at the right time.
"He took a while to get into his rhythm after his operation (last summer).
"Obviously he won't get to 42 goals like he did last season but he is up to 25 now, which is still a fantastic tally for someone who is regarded as a wide player."
Rivalry
Next up for United is a local derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Ferguson accepts the Blues will be looking to put a serious dent in their neighbours' title charge, but is confident his side will prevail.
"They will be desperate to win the game," he said. "That is natural. It is a derby game.
"Their fans would love to think they can stop us winning the league. There is nothing wrong with that. Our fans would be exactly the same.
"But that is the nature of derby games. It is not just a rivalry between the fans but also players and the people in the club and the wives and sons of supporters. It involves everybody."
Meanwhile, United have announced a five-year sponsorship deal with Indian telecom services provider Airtel.
The agreement is the first between United and an Indian company and further enhances their global partnership network.
