Manchester United currently sit third in the Premier League standings, six points adrift of leaders Liverpool - although with a game in hand - as the ever-important holiday fixtures approach.

The Red Devils have taken only a single point from the Big Four rivals this season, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson is confident of catching the front-runners.

He said in The Sun: “Our losses at Arsenal and Liverpool were disappointing but we’ve got the away games against our rivals out of the way. I’m sure we can make up ground.”

The Gunners, meanwhile, sit in fourth place after a tumultuous start to the campaign which has seen them drop points against relative minnows such as Stoke City, Hull City and Fulham.

But after their recent leadership reshuffle Arsene Wenger's men seem to be back on track. They claimed three points at Stamford Bridge two weekends ago, thus knocking Chelsea off the top of the table.

And Ferguson is hoping the London giants can replicate that sort of form not only when they face the Blues again, but also when they play home and away against the high-flying Merseysiders.

He said: “What we want now is for Arsenal to beat Liverpool and Chelsea. They have just won at Chelsea but they have still got to play them at home and they have got two games to play against Liverpool.”

As the men from Anfield are putting up easily their best title-fight since Rafael Benitez took charge of the club, some are predicting a three- or even four-horse race.

The United boss is one of those expects things to be a little less predictable than usual when May rolls around, and he has pointed at the increased depth of competition in England's top tier.

Ferguson said: “In the past, it has always come down to two teams but I don’t think that’ll be the case this season.

“I expect the big four to take it right to the wire. The improvement by other teams has made it much harder to go away from home and pick up points — just look at the results Stoke and Hull enjoyed against Arsenal.”

Kieran Quentin, Goal.com

 

Fergie did not get to where he is by being a poor manager. The guy is crafty... I don't see Liverpool keeping up the charge all season - they'll drop to 3rd. It'll be down to the last weekend of the season as long as Chelsea and Man U don't drop more points against the bottom half teams.

 

you're probably right but lets hope the race for the EPL title is not that predictable

 

What old fart Fergie needs to do right now is keep his mouth shut, and concentrate on the long and tough road ahead. May is a long way away!

 

That is what he's doing it called mind games