Fergie: "North England Will Hault Chelsea"

By Chris O'Brien
December 21 2004

Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Premiership title rivals Chelsea their march to the league crown could some unstuck in January. The London club face both Liverpool and Everton away from home as they look to win their first Football League crown in 50 years in their centenary season.

Sir Alex Ferguson feels Chelsea could face problems in the New Year as they continue their onslaught on the Premiership crown. The London side currently lead the Championship race by 5 points to holders Arsenal, and have only lose one game from the opening 18 league fixtures.

However, Ferguson feels early 2005 will not be such a walk in the park for Jose Mourinho and his expensively assembled squad of internationals. The Scotsman picks out away trips to Liverpool and Everton as potential losses for the Blues, and feels that trips to the North of England will prove the quadruple chasing club with problems.

"It is when Chelsea come north that you will see," said the United boss, who has been at the helm at Old Trafford for 18 years.

"They have to go to Liverpool and Everton, as we do, but our record isn't bad there. It is different after New Year - there are different pressures."

Ferguson has always insisted that United are still one of England's top teams who can challenge for all silverware. Though we had a slow start to the season, United are still in all four cup competitions and have seen major improvements in league form of late.

"I always think the league starts on New Year's Day and I always write down the fixture programme of the competitors," added Ferguson.

"It's amazing how accurate I am where points will be dropped and won."

Should Chelsea's Football League campaign come unstuck in January, United will need to pick up points to gain ground. The Red Devils face very tough trips to Middlesbrough and arch-rivals Liverpool before going to Highbury on the first day of February. These games will make and break our season with most critics doubting United have what it takes to challenge for another Premiership title.