Ferdinand wants United to focus

Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has warned his team-mates to concentrate only on their own title bid.

United have a seven-point lead at the top of the table over rivals Manchester City, but Ferdinand admitted the title race was far from over.

With just six matches remaining of the 2011-12 season, United had an eight-point lead over City, but conspired to lose the title on the final day of the season.

“Last year it was new because it was the first time they had challenged properly and there was a lot of focus on Manchester,” Ferdinand told reporters.

“But we have to make sure we keep our own house in order, make sure we keep ticking off the games. We don’t have to focus on anyone else, just ourselves.”

The 34-year-old centre-back was also full of praise for summer signing Robin van Persie, who leads the Premier League scoring charts with 16 goals since leaving Arsenal.

“Robin is an important player,” Ferdinand said.

“The manager saw something in him and made it his mission to buy him this summer.

“At the moment, thankfully, he is doing what he came here to do. He is not only scoring goals, he holds the ball up well and brings others into play. He does a fantastic job.

“But we are not at the end of the season yet. No medals have been handed out. We don’t want to jump about too much. Up to now he has done fantastically well but the job is still there to be done.”