Ferguson: Goal Difference Vital For Title

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Sir Alex Ferguson - Manchester United (PA)

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The reigning champions currently stand third in the table eight points off the top but with a game in hand.

However, the Red Devils have already suffered two defeats this season, to Arsenal and Liverpool, and their manager knows any more could put them out of the title race.

According to The Sun Sir Alex said: “We don’t want any slip-ups. The most consistent team wins the league and my side will have to be very good now.”

United beat Stoke City 5-0 last time out, a result that greatly boosted their goals scored column.

Yet leaders Chelsea still boast a far larger goal difference ratio, an impressive 13 more than United’s, and Ferguson admitted this could prove vital.

“We’ve made the point to the players that goal difference could be important, so we have to be sure we are the best at that,” explained the United boss, “At the moment Chelsea are well ahead of us in terms of scoring goals so there’s leeway to be made up there as well as the points difference.”

United travel to Villa Park today to take on Martin O’Neill’s side who are just a point behind them and who beat Arsenal last time out.

Whilst the Red Devils have an impressive record over Villa and haven’t lost to the Midlanders in the league for over a decade, a home win today would see Martin O’Neill’s men leapfrog the European champions.

Gill Clark