Ferguson: Games Against Arsenal Are Never Easy

The Red Devils' boss is wary of the threat posed by free-scoring Arsenal.

Machester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that he harbours a degree of trepidation over his side's imminent clash with competitive rivals Arsenal, scheduled for a late afternoon kick-off on Saturday.

The iron-willed Scot was speaking at a pre-match press conference, and indicated that Arsenal's early season form - including resounding wins against both Portsmouth and Everton - was keeping in tradition to a build-up to a tie that was "always interesting".

"Their fixtures have been the highlight of the season so far," Ferguson said. "The 6-1 at Everton was an amazing result. I don't think during my time I have known a result like that at Everton.

"They were good at Portsmouth and I saw them on Wednesday [versus Celtic] and I think they were comfortable enough.

"Games against Arsenal are never easy," he continued, "but always interesting.

"We have lost one game and we can't afford to lose another one."

Regarding Rio Ferdinand's declaration that he will be fit for the Tottenham Hotspur clash, Ferguson said, "It's nice that he's letting us know he'll be fit.

"Owen Hargreaves is back on September 23," said Sir Alex. "We're in dialogue with him all the time."
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Fergie : Liverpool Are No Threat To United

Fergie reckons the Reds will be hard pressed to match last term's exploits, let alone better them

After last season saw Liverpool mount their first serious challenge for the Premier League title this decade, some are backing them to go a step further in the 2009-10 edition.

Sir Alex Ferguson is not one of those people.

The Manchester United boss held off Rafael Benitez's Reds down the stretch last term to claim a third straight PL crown, and he doubts that the Merseysiders will pose any more of a threat this time around.

"It will be hard for them to match last season, let alone improve on it. Other teams will know more about them," Ferguson told The Sun.

"Liverpool had probably their best season for 20 years and still finished four points adrift."

Some observers have begun leaning towards the Scot's way of thinking now that 'Pool have confirmed that Xabi Alonso, arguably their star man last season, is on his way to Real Madrid.

However, Ferguson is not convinced that the Spanish midfielder's departure will have much of an effect either way, as he is of the opinion that the Scousers' greatest weapons lie further afield.

"The thrust of their team is all about [Steven] Gerrard and [Fernando] Torres," he added.

Still, the question remains: who will be Man United's most dangerous rivals in 2009-10? Ferguson believes the answer is to be found in west London.

"It has to be Chelsea as the main threat. [Carlo] Ancelotti will change how they play," he said.

"They will play the Milan way. It brought him two European Cups - it should have been three, because they should never have lost to Liverpool. So why should he change?"

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