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

By Bob Cass
Last updated at 10:49 PM on 4th February 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson believes away wins at Chelsea and Tottenham next month will be enough to maintain Manchester United's position as top dogs in 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 Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Now neighbours Manchester City represent the latest threat to United's grip on the title.
England aces: Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney (right) cover up at Macclesfield Station as Manchester United arrive to catch a train for their clash at Chelsea, where they are guaranteed a frosty reception
England aces: Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney (right) cover up at Macclesfield Station as Manchester United arrive to catch a train for their clash at Chelsea, where they are guaranteed a frosty reception
Ferguson said: '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.
'It's a tribute to us really that we won our first title in 1992-93 and 20 years on we're still battling there and we've only been out of the top two once or twice.
'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.
Keeping his cool: Sir Alex Ferguson battles the cold
Keeping his cool: Sir Alex Ferguson battles the cold
'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 favourites to win the League, but if we win our two away games against Chelsea and Spurs then we have a great chance.'
United's midweek win over Stoke City, coupled with City's defeat at Everton, levelled the two rivals at the top of the table. But Ferguson was careful not to dismiss the threat of Spurs.
'The form Tottenham are showing, particularly at home this season, means it will be a hard game.
'Our away form has been good this season - it has to be now - and come March and April, if up in these games at Chelsea and Tottenham, hopefully it gives us a really good chance. We'll hope we win them but they're definitely not going to be easy.'
Wayne Rooney's likely return, coupled with the absence of Chelsea skipper John Terry, has done little to damage the prospects of a fifth successive United victory over Chelsea.
'They are in transition,' said Ferguson. 'Villas-Boas is playing a different way and when we played them earlier in the season they were far more f luid. He's brought in a couple of players who have made a difference in Ramires and Mata and he's given Sturridge a chance and he repaid him with nine goals from the wide right position, which isn't a bad contribution at all.
'Drogba is getting a bit older now and he's had to address that part, letting Anelka go, so there are changes.
'Luiz has become an important figure because he's allowed Alex to leave and Cahill has come in too, so there are changes there. But we've won the last four against them, and we were absolutely brilliant in the league against them last season, so maybe that helps.'
Ferguson again underlined his confidence in goalkeeper David de Gea.
He is earmarked to return today after missing the Stoke match with a minor knock, and Sir Alex revealed that his coaching staff had been working on the 21-year-old Spaniard following the buffeting he received at set-pieces during the FA Cup defeat at Liverpool last week.
'We'll sort that out. We actually sorted it out in the second half at Liverpool,' he said.
Frosty reception: United's players arrive at Macclesfield Station en route to Chelsea
Frosty reception: United's players arrive at Macclesfield Station en route to Chelsea
'They were young defenders and if we'd had Nemanja Vidic or Rio Ferdinand, that wouldn't have happened. We sorted that at half-time.'
The United manager is also wary of the potential threat from Fernando Torres, especially if he returns to the goal-scoring form he was in against United when he wore a Liverpool shirt.
'He did well against us then,' he said.
'I don't know the whole situation at Chelsea and I don't know the boy. 'I don't know what makes him tick, but I know at Liverpool he was a threat to us - no doubt about that.'
Torres Graphic
Torres Graphic


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With Chelsea's best two defenders, best midfielder and best striker missing, I wouldn't be surprised if they do what they did last season and call the game off for "Safety" reasons.
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