Sir Alex Fergusion on clash with Arsenal.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to the title chase and considers Saturday’s top-of-the table clash with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal likely to be the ‘key match’ in deciding the Premiership race this season.

The Red Devils, who had won the title last season to end a wait of four years, are equal on points with the unbeaten Gunners, who however have a game in hand.

"It's still an open race but Arsenal have had a great start and they're the ones we are chasing at the moment," Ferguson told the Daily Star.

"Everything is coming together, as I thought it would, and in good time to take on Arsenal in what could be a key match in our title defence.

"The main thing is I know we will chase them with great fervour and determination."

Ferguson on Fernando Torres.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Liverpool's new record signing Fernando Torres will be a big hit at Anfield, after confirming that Manchester United had been keen to land the Spain striker.

Ferguson told The Daily Mail: "Torres is athletic, he's brave enough and he'll run the channels for them, which he did well in Madrid.

"He's good in the air and has got a physique and he's quicker than you think.

"Over the past few years there has been some interest for us in Torres, but every time he signed a new contract. Sometimes you get fed up with that kind of thing."

Twenty-three-year-old frontman Torres made a £26.5million switch to the Reds this summer after finally deciding to leave Atletico Madrid, having previously been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Fergusion preparing for next season.

Sir Alex planning for next season.

Manager of Manchester United, Sir Alex Fergusion is planning his move for next season battle. He knows that teams like Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal will be looking to dethroned the champions.

Chelsea with limitless cash, will been plotting a revenge, but Sir Alex is ready for a battle suggesting that he will be requesting for a $60m tranfers fund from the Glazers.

So the areas that he will be looking to improve :-

Goalkeepers

The experienced Edwin Van Sar will be competing with the youngster Ben Foster.

Foster was outstanding, even in Watford's relegation, and with an England place potentially up for grabs, will have no intention of sitting on the sidelines.

Tomasz Kuszczak will be their thrid choice keeper.

Defenders

The back four of Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Even had an outstanding season and the defensive record speak for itself.

Sir Alex is unlikely to strengthen his central defence as they have John O'Shea, Wes Brown and Mike Silverstre as cover.

So what about the right-back berth, where Gary Neville is increasingly troubled by injury, and where he appears to have no natural deputy, despite the best efforts of Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea?

Neville is the consummate professional and a huge influence who will play his full part next season, but Ferguson must look at finding an eventual successor.

Gareth Bale, the left back of Southamton will be a likely target.


Midfield

Owen Hargreaves is United most wanted midfielder since the early start of season. With his arrival he will play a vital role as a holding midfield man.

Hargreaves will provide the perfect foil for the steady Michael Carrick and for Paul Scholes - keeping the back door closed while the rejuvenated former England man performs his creative brilliance.

Carrick is a reliable rather than sparkling figure, while Scholes provides the cutting edge. Hargreaves would give United that resilient, dogged quality in midfield.

The wide positions are well covered by the ageless Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo, with Darren Fletcher able to cover across the midfield.

Attack

Ferguson has had 20 goals each from Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, but with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer coming to the end of his career and Louis Saha's lack of appearances seemingly an increasing source of frustration, he will beef up his attack with a high-quality addition.

The question will be - what sort of player does he go for?

Will Ferguson go for the out-and-out goalscorer or a man who provides the best of both worlds?

If he goes for the natural predator, this may bring Tottenham's Jermain Defoe into the equation.

But watch out for a move for Newcastle's Michael Owen should he prove his fitness.

Ferguson has been a massive admirer for many years, and don't bet against the fiercely ambitious Owen being willing to leave Newcastle, despite having just spent 12 months on the treatment table.

Ferguson may go for the all-round option by attempting to sign a creator and a scorer in the form of brilliant Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov - or even finally persuade Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres to try the Premiership.

One thing is for certain, he will buy a forward and Owen might be worth a punt for those fancying a bet.

If he lands the man he wants, Ferguson will have an array of riches, with Rooney the spearhead and Alan Smith on the road back to full fitness.

He means business - because he knows his great rival Mourinho will be plotting behind the scenes to ensure there is no repeat of the scenes of celebration planned for Old Trafford this Sunday.

Article from BBC sports written by By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer