THINGS ARE LOOKING UP

Fergie reckons it's make or break week:

"We would have accepted where we are now - six points off the top and with a winning start in the Champions League second phase - if someone had said back in August we would have the problems we have had. And for the first time this season we gained ground last Saturday.

"We're still six points behind and that's a lot at this stage of the season, but it can be whittled down in two games now. Football's like that.

"Saturday was the first time we've capitalised on the other teams slipping up. On other occasions when Arsenal and Liverpool have drawn or lost games
we've failed to make up any ground at all.

"The goals are going in again and I just think the breaks are coming our way now.

"It's still early doors but we hope this turnaround has come at just the right time, with the two big games coming up on Sunday and next Saturday. It's just what we need.

"We hope it's a defining week in the season for us. But it's still early and the one good thing is that we'll have everyone back from injury by Christmas and we'll still have four months of the season left.

"We had an uneasy start to the season in terms of injuries, missed chances and things like that. And we certainly didn't get the results we would have liked.

"With all the injuries, we've had to field virtually the same 11 players every week and they've done really well. But in a strange way maybe that's helped us.

"What's pleasing is that the injured players have got four months of the season left and will be coming back fresh. In addition to that, other results are starting to go for us.

"We hope this is a defining week for us. We are getting the breaks and scoring goals again and it looks better than it did a fortnight ago. Earlier this season when Arsenal lost we did not capitalise on it but last weekend we did.

"Six points is a lot at this time of the season but, as we all know, that can be whittled down in two games. We had an uneasy start to the season but retaining the same 11 players of late has helped and the players who have come in have done very well. The great thing is that we are going to have all those players back. They will be fit and fresh with four months of the season to go.

"We have created three teams in 10 years here, and it is possible we are on the way to building another one. And if we do, obviously new players can come in. We have trusted and believed in the nucleus of our squad, which has been there for a long time.

"We always try to improve, and we have done that each summer, or we try to sign at least one player. Maybe it is time to assess that the nucleus of the team has been together for seven to nine years - it's a long time.
 

"I think Arsenal and Liverpool have improved and I don't think we are meeting our expectations at this moment in time.

"I think Arsenal and Liverpool have built up very big squads. In particular Liverpool have built a strong and athletic squad. In the summer they bought four more players.

"I think since Gerard came in they have bought something like 28 players in four years so it emphasises the ambition and desire of Liverpool.

"Of course, Arsenal too have built up a strong squad whereas, over the last four years say, we have only been adding one player at a time."

Blanc and Gary Neville should be fit for Sunday's Anfield showdown. Long-term injured duo Ferdinand and Butt are expected back for the Christmas programme but skipper Keane has been ruled out until the New Year.