Alex Ferguson shielding himself from the rain during the game at Arsenal which ended in a 1-2 defeat for United on Saturday. United are eight points behind the leaders. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON: Alex Ferguson has complained that Manchester United's bid for a third consecutive Premier League title is being undermined by an unbalanced fixture list.
United have taken a solitary point from their meetings with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, their main challengers for the title, but Ferguson believes that his team have been 'handicapped' by an unforgiving programme.
Having seen United beaten 1-2 away to Arsenal on Saturday - a result that leaves them eight points adrift of Chelsea and Liverpool, albeit with a game in hand - Ferguson bemoaned the fact that one of his team's most important fixtures had been scheduled three days after a Champions League match away to Celtic.
United are in fourth spot on 21 points to Chelsea's 29 points.
All six of United's Champions League group matches have been or will be followed by tough away assignments - against Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham - and Ferguson believes that the situation is unfair, even though he said that fatigue did not appear to be a contributing factor on Saturday.
'They say the league is not handicapped, but I'm not so sure,' he said.
'Having every game away from home following a European tie is not easy. Going from Celtic on Wednesday to play at Arsenal the following Saturday lunch-time is hard, although, funnily enough, I didn't think it was a problem on this occasion.'
If playing away from home immediately after a Champions League fixture is indeed a disadvantage, it is a schedule that has also handicapped Arsenal, five of whose group games are succeeded by away matches in the league.
The schedule, though, has played into the hands of Chelsea and Liverpool, who have been handed five and four home fixtures respectively in the Premier League immediately after their six group matches in Europe.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was delighted that his team made the most of their home advantage against United, claiming a much-needed victory with two goals from Samir Nasri.
'We are back in it, but we always thought we were in it anyway, even before that game,' Nasri said.
'We know what we can do and we can definitely achieve the title this season.
'It was important to win this game against United. We know that the title can be achieved by the games against the other big teams and we have shown now that we can do it.
'The most important thing is to keep going like that and not be too complacent.'
Both Arsenal and United are back in action today in the fourth round of the League Cup.
Arsenal face Wigan Athletic while United take on Champions outfit Queens Park Rangers.
Wenger and Ferguson are both expected to rest their established regulars and field several young players.
Ferguson is set to give Anderson, Jonny Evans, Rodrigo Possebon, Darron Gibson and Danny Wellbeck a chance to shine.
But Ferguson admits that 20-year-old Anderson, a £19 million (S$44 million) buy from Porto 18 months ago, is the player that he has the highest hopes for among his young crop.
United will be keen to avoid last season's fate when they rested several stars: they crashed out 0-2 to Coventry City.
