Ferguson: The Season Starts Now

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that, in his eyes, the Premiership season begins as from his team's clash with Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day.

The Red Devils have always performed reasonably well during the festive period under the guidance of the Scotsman and 4 wins are definitely needed in the next 10 days against Wanderers, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Tottenham.

"I don't regard Christmas at the peak of our season but it is the start of the run-in," admitted Ferguson.

"I have always looked upon it as an important time because by the time we get to the new year, we will have a far better idea of who is going to be challenging. The pleasing thing from our perspective is that we are hitting form at the right time."

"What we have to do is maintain that through the period we are going into now, right up until we play Tottenham on January 4."

January also presents the FA Cup 3rd round tie against Exeter. 

The Scot added: "After that, we have an FA Cup game, so that is an ideal time to assess where we are and how the whole league is looking. Hopefully, we will be right on the leaders' tails."