MANCHESTER: Sir Alex Ferguson believes Tottenham Hotspur pose a real threat to Manchester United’s hopes of retaining the Premier League title as they are “playing the best football in the country”.
Both Manchester City and Manchester United are seven points clear of third-placed Spurs at the top of the table but Harry Redknapp’s men have a game in hand.
When it comes to a London challenge for the Premier League trophy, Ferguson has usually had to look no further than Arsenal and Chelsea rather than to Tottenham, last crowned champions of England 50 years ago.
But with Spurs, for whom Wales winger Gareth Bale has been outstanding, playing both attractive and winning football, Ferguson would not be surprised if the English title returned to White Hart Lane for the first time since the celebrated League and FA Cup ‘double’ season of 1960/61.
“The difficulty for Arsenal and Chelsea is they have to overtake three teams so, unless the top three teams collapse, that would be the opportunity for Arsenal and Chelsea to take advantage,” Ferguson said on Friday.
“I think Tottenham are playing the best football in the country, their current team and form are the best in country. They can definitely win it.”
Meanwhile, United manager Ferguson confirmed he wanted to hang on to Spurs old boy Dimitar Berbatov and keep the striker at Old Trafford until 2013.
The 30-year-old’s future has been the subject of speculation as he has struggled for regular first team football this season.
Ferguson who will turn 70 on Saturday will mark his birthday with a home match against basement club Blackburn Rovers on Saturday that offers United, behind City on goal difference alone, the chance to end 2011 in first place in the Premier League table.
At the other end of the table, City manager Roberto Mancini has claimed the league will be won with a total of 90 points this season and Ferguson joked: “I’d better go for 91 then — it seems obvious, doesn’t it?
“But I think there will be points dropped, it gets harder in March and April when the games catch up so it’s difficult to say.” (Agencies)