MANCHESTER - Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United should be applauded for still being in the title race but has told his players to ram home their advantage against Fulham tonight.
For the first time since the start of the campaign, Ferguson's squad is almost at full strength as United enter the final run of matches.
His defence has been hit par-ticularly hard, with Nemanja Vidic missing most of the campaign through injury.
Phil Jones could return from illness against the Cottagers today but Ferguson could still be without as many as six of his first-team squad.
Even so, a victory over Martin Jol's side would see United open up a crucial three-point lead over Manchester City, held 1-1 at Stoke on Saturday.
Ferguson must also be comforted by the fact that, after the Fulham game, United face Blackburn, QPR, Wigan, Aston Villa and Everton before heading to City for the third- last game of the season on April 30.
Despite having taken United to a record 19 titles, Ferguson feels that if his squad was to hold off City, this one would represent one of the most impressive achievements and he hopes that his group's experience will count.
"I have to congratulate the players on achieving the position we are in because of the injuries we have had," he said. "It's not been a great season for us in terms of injuries. The players have shown resilience and we are in the position we are now because of that.
"Now we are starting to get players back and we hope they stay back because it does strengthen our chances. I think you are better having had the experience of winning the league than not. But we've still got to win our games. We've got nine games over the next few weeks - five at home and four away - and that's the challenge."
Other than Jones, Nani is still struggling with an ankle problem and Michael Owen, Vidic, Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Anders Lindegaard are also absent.
While midfielder Michael Carrick regrets the fact that United do not have other competitions to have a go at, he believes Ferguson's side will benefit from the extra rest.
Fulham manager Martin Jol admits he would struggle to separate United and City but believes the current champions have a slight edge. "It depends on the players and whether they are still there. It will be an advantage for them but they have other players.
"Maybe there is a bit of a winning mentality installed in that club, which is a culture so yes, I do think they have an advantage over City."
Zdenek Grygera (knee), Steve Sidwell (hernia) and Orlando Sa (hamstring) are all absent for the visitors.
Ferguson's got reason to smile
MANCHESTER - Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United should be applauded for still being in the title race but has told his players to ram home their advantage against Fulham tonight.
For the first time since the start of the campaign, Ferguson's squad is almost at full strength as United enter the final run of matches.
His defence has been hit par-ticularly hard, with Nemanja Vidic missing most of the campaign through injury.
Phil Jones could return from illness against the Cottagers today but Ferguson could still be without as many as six of his first-team squad.
Even so, a victory over Martin Jol's side would see United open up a crucial three-point lead over Manchester City, held 1-1 at Stoke on Saturday.
Ferguson must also be comforted by the fact that, after the Fulham game, United face Blackburn, QPR, Wigan, Aston Villa and Everton before heading to City for the third- last game of the season on April 30.
Despite having taken United to a record 19 titles, Ferguson feels that if his squad was to hold off City, this one would represent one of the most impressive achievements and he hopes that his group's experience will count.
"I have to congratulate the players on achieving the position we are in because of the injuries we have had," he said. "It's not been a great season for us in terms of injuries. The players have shown resilience and we are in the position we are now because of that.
"Now we are starting to get players back and we hope they stay back because it does strengthen our chances. I think you are better having had the experience of winning the league than not. But we've still got to win our games. We've got nine games over the next few weeks - five at home and four away - and that's the challenge."
Other than Jones, Nani is still struggling with an ankle problem and Michael Owen, Vidic, Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Anders Lindegaard are also absent.
While midfielder Michael Carrick regrets the fact that United do not have other competitions to have a go at, he believes Ferguson's side will benefit from the extra rest.
Fulham manager Martin Jol admits he would struggle to separate United and City but believes the current champions have a slight edge. "It depends on the players and whether they are still there. It will be an advantage for them but they have other players.
"Maybe there is a bit of a winning mentality installed in that club, which is a culture so yes, I do think they have an advantage over City."
Zdenek Grygera (knee), Steve Sidwell (hernia) and Orlando Sa (hamstring) are all absent for the visitors.
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