Sir Alex aims to stay ahead

Sir Alex Ferguson says it's vital United remain in front of Manchester City in the coming weeks, now that months of chasing top spot have paid off.

The Reds' 1-0 triumph over Fulham on Monday night secured a three-point advantage over Manchester City. And even if the Blues beat Sunderland at home on Saturday, the reigning champions will regain top spot at the end of this round of fixtures if defeat is avoided at Blackburn on Monday night.

"Hopefully we can remain there but we also know that football can turn on you and bite you," Sir Alex told reporters on Thursday. "We have a small advantage, it’s not a great advantage; it can be changed in one game. We just have to take each game as it comes along, it’s the only thing we can do.

"Once the Fulham game was over the focus was on Monday night [at Blackburn] and after that it’s the game against Queens Park Rangers. That’s the way we need to handle it."