Ferguson hangs hopes on Spurs clash

Sir Alex Ferguson has billed Manchester United’s clash against Tottenham at the weekend as ‘massive’ for his side.

United travel to White Hart Lane on Sunday having picked up 13 points from their last five games, which included trips to Arsenal and Chelsea as well as a clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Speaking to Inside United, Ferguson said: “It’s going to be a massive game (at Spurs). If we can survive that one, then we’ll have a big chance of winning the league.”

The United manager also revealed he would be content to face Manchester City in April with his side still trailing the league leaders by two points.

“I would take it (being two points behind City going into the game at the Etihad Stadium). I would rather go there on level points.”

“But if we could go there within striking distance of being top of the league, I’d take it.”

Ferguson lamented the number of injuries to his players during recent weeks and highlighted the need to rest both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones in order to have them fresh for the remainder of the season.

“I should have more players available than I’ve had in the last few weeks because we’ve had a terrible spell of injuries,” he said.

“But we’ve done the right thing in the treatment of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, we’ve given them a break.”

“They are young players and they had been carrying little strains for weeks.”

“Then all of a sudden it hits them, and we had to take stock, to get them back. We’ve given them a fair break and they’re fresh now.”