Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says the title race starts now
20 Nov 2009 - 14:48:16
Amid all the furore over the Republic of Ireland's World Cup exit, it has largely been forgotten that United's hopes of completing an unprecedented Premier League four-timer were also adversely affected by a controversial refereeing decision at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago.
But referee Martin Atkinson's failure to spot Didier Drogba hauling over Wes Brown as John Terry nodded home a late winner has left the Red Devils with a big job on their hands if they are to become history makers.
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According to Ferguson, that continuity in the Premier League will benefit the Old Trafford outfit.
"Probably the league will start now," he said. "You will get some sort of consistency and we won't be worrying about which players are coming back from international duty, where they have been and arranging flights for them to come back in time.
"We have got them now right through until March. We are delighted with that."
As usual, Ferguson has injury problems picked up during international fixtures to contend with as his side play host to Everton this weekend.
John O'Shea's thigh injury seems certain to rule him out, while Michael Carrick and Jonny Evans have niggling ankle and calf knocks to get over before they can be considered to face David Moyes' men.
Also Rio Ferdinand will be missing for another two or three weeks after United confirmed his present injury stems from a lower back problem.
On the plus side, Nemanja Vidic and Park Ji-sung both featured in the midweek international between Serbia and South Korea after recent injuries and should be available as United begin the task of hauling Chelsea back.
"Five points is not insurmountable, that has been shown time and time again in the Premier League," said Ferguson. "You can come from behind and you can be in front and lose it, as we did in 1997.
"It is a challenge. But I always think if you get to New Year's Day a point in front or behind, with our experience in big game situations over the run-in, we have a great chance."
On the face of it, Ferguson could not have picked a better fixture for his side to come back to.
Everton have not won at Old Trafford since 1992, since when they have managed just a couple of draws amid the mass of defeats.
Yet they often make life difficult for their north-west rivals and it took a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty to give them victory in a tightly-fought affair last term.
But with the current situation leaving little room for manoeuvre, United cannot afford any slip-ups, even if Ferguson is expecting the usually difficult battle with Moyes' side.
"Everton have had a tremendous run of injuries and David Moyes is facing much the same situation as myself at the moment," said Ferguson.
"You can understand how difficult it is to win games when you don't have your best team out. Once they get their full squad back they will soon come up the table again.
"Even so, they are still very powerful opponents. They are a determined side and we will need to perform."
