You won't knock us off the top of the mountain: Ferguson to rivals

The UK News (ANI) Sunday 5th February, 2012

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has cautioned his rivals that they won't be able to remove United from their top position at the Premier League.

In the 19 years since they won the first of their 12 Barclays Premier League championships under the 70-year-old Scot, United have seen off challenges from Arsenal and Chelsea.

This year United are facing a taut challenge from their local rivals Manchester City for the Premier League title.

"It's the expectation that you have to live with at this club. It's like climbing a mountain. I've climbed Ben Donald in Scotland and when you get up there it's fantastic and you want to stay there," The Daily Mail quoted Ferguson as saying.

Ferguson then went on to explain the different challenges his team had faced since winning their first Premier League title under him.

"We had 10 years battling with Arsenal. They were a tough side and the games became pretty physical and controversial for a spell. Then came Chelsea and they got off to great starts under Mourinho and we weren't able to catch them."

"For that third season onwards we changed the whole process of the way we prepared for the season and we managed to get a decent start and win the League."

He feels this year it is going to be tough for his side to win the league after the emergence of Manchester City who are financially backed by their billionaire Middle-East owners.

Ferguson has also earmarked games at Chelsea and Tottenham as being crucial for retaining their Premier League crown this season.

"But it's not easy. It's a tough League and we are finding that now with City. They have improved a lot and are still the favorites to win the League, but if we win our two away games against Chelsea and Spurs then we have a great chance," he said. (ANI)