Ferguson: Experience is the key in title run-in

(GSM) – Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson rebuffed suggestions from his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger that the Gunners have an easier title run-in than their Premier League champions.

Wenger claimed that the Gunners’ remaining fixtures are easier than United’s, a fact that the French tactician believes could be decisive for Arsenal as they chase Premier League glory.

United and second-placed Chelsea must still go head-to-head. The Red Devils still have tough dates when they face their city rivals, Manchester City and enthusiastic top-four hopefuls, Tottenham. Meanwhile Chelsea still have to tackle Liverpool, Aston Villa and Spurs. Arsenal still have to face City and Spurs from the big teams of the league.

However, Ferguson insists the defending champions will use their experience from previous success to retain the title.

He said, “On paper, Arsenal have the easy run in but at this stage of the season I’m not sure whether that works, whether it means anything at all.

“You can drop a couple of points like Chelsea did at Blackburn last Sunday and your advantage on paper all of a sudden doesn’t look so good.

“The name of the game is to win your games and hopefully we can do that. That’s our best way of looking forward.

“I don’t think there is a bigger challenger (from one team) than another, we’re all in the same pot together.

“We’ll rely on our experience which is vital and hopefully we can keep a relatively clean bill of health between now and the end of the season.”