Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is "optimistic" about his side's title chances and believes their level is not far away from that of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The champions are just two points behind Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City and temporarily topped the table after beating Liverpool on Saturday. Ferguson is determined to push City all the way in a season in which he endured the disappointment of an early exit from the Champions League.
The Scot told Fifa.com: "We've had our ups and downs and we've been unlucky with injuries.
"We've had a lot of them, which you don't expect, and we've got people like Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher out for the whole season.
"Even so, we're fighting hard to win the Premiership again and there's a lot of merit in that. Obviously I'm optimistic about our chances."
Ferguson is convinced that was merely a blip and his side can soon get back to the level of the top European sides. He said: "Luck wasn't on our side, but I think we've got the ambition to compete with Barcelona and Real Madrid, and I don't feel we're that far away from them. I'm sure we'll show that soon."


Comment 11 - 30 of 30
Fergie, fergie.....once you are out of the CL, you are OUT! That's it! You don't belong in the league for the champions any more.
while liverpool sits and watch and might not just yet make it to the Europa cup next season. I reckon they appreciate the lots who play at the very least
Gordon Taylor said why didn't Liverpool appeal the Suarez ban ? you don't need too much energy to know why, it would have been a complete waste of time, it would be almost impossible to win a case where Man U are concerned. Raffa called for a level playing field, look what happened to him, Ferguson & his pals chipped away at him almost weekly..
The FA are so far up Ferguson's backside, they can smell what flavour his chewing gum is.
The teams in the premier league have a big weight on their shoulders, it's called Ferguson. The bad apple in the pile.
20,22,24 = Apologies just remembering old red noses comments from two seasons ago “We would never consider playing on a Thursday night that is only for teams not good enough to play in the CL” I think that was very well put, do you not agree!!!!! YNWA.
@18
I looked for what day Liverpool are playing but couldn't find it.
Please point me in the right direction.
Fergie! Fergie! Fergie! why can't you just admit it that MU is not good enough for Europe...
liverpool have got a foreign trip near the end of the season - away to swansea city
all these abu's twats on here again just shows how good sir alex is what a man what a club
so william what will liverpool players be doing watching it?
10 dont know what you are saying, if it's Evra the coward in full agreement.
13 Real Madrid NINE times winners - LFC FIVE time winners MANURS playing on a Thursday Night - priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No 4 you are correct you made the final against them twice = outplayed = outclassed = well beaten I do hope you keep this record up against them. YNWA = 5
liverpool you racist scum
I wonder whether Mr. Ferguson told the players in the changing room after the Basel away game, "It's all right lads, It was only a blip".
Still a filthy jock scumbag wino though
"...and believes their level is not far away from that of Barcelona and Real Madrid."
- what is Ferguson thinking? They were poor in the CL and are hanging on for dear life in the PL. Outplayed in two CL finals.
I expect him to be protective towards his players but be fair, this is a poor lot he's assembled currently. Where's the reality Fergie?
"Luck wasn't on our side, but I think we've got the ambition to compete with Barcelona and Real Madrid....." I have an ambition to be a millionaire but the reality is that it's not going to happen.
lol same class as madrid and barca wahahahahahahaha is he having a bloody laugh or what, manure are not in the same league as them two lolollol you alcho
Well I put it to all the ABU's out there, UTD may be behind Barca & Real at the moment. but, what about the rest off the teams in the premier league. They are light years behind the two spainsh giants.
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