Man United’s Sir Alex Ferguson: It’s not a two-horse race for league title

Sir Alex Ferguson has quashed suggestions that this season’s Premier League title is already a two-horse race between Manchester City and Manchester United after Chelsea’s mid-week blip.

The Blues trail first-placed United by seven points after Rafael Benítez’s side could only manage a goalless draw with Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

But the 70-year-old Red Devils manager believes it is too early to whittle the title contenders down, with 24 league games still left to play this season.

“It’s early-season. It’s only the end of November, so I don’t think you can be certain by saying it’s a two-horse race at this time,” said Ferguson.

“Over the years, we’ve always hoped the top five, or top six, are all capable of winning the league but eventually it ends up being a two-horse race.

“Year after year it’s been like that, when you look at the space between the top two teams and the rest last year, the gap between ourselves and City.

“The important thing is you look at yourself. You need to stay up there all the time and this is not an easy league to do that.”

City pipped United to the top-flight title on goal difference in May, with third-placed Arsenal finishing 19 points behind the top two.