Rio: Reds Must Be Favourites

Rio Ferdinand admits he laughs at any suggestion that United are not favourites to lift the 2011/2012 Premier League title.

Although still smarting from the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, the centre-back realises that some neutrals would prefer a different name on the top domestic trophy following the Reds' dominance in the current era.

United were not beaten until February in the league and ended up nine points clear of second-placed Chelsea, even though some critics argued it wasn't a vintage season. The departure of a number of experienced campaigners has also led some pundits to question United's ability to retain the title this time around.

However, Ferdinand is in no doubt that Sir Alex's side deserve to be favourites to come out on top again. "We have won the league four times out of five," he stated to the Press Association. "Yet we're not [everybody's] favourites to win this one. It is ridiculous.

"It makes me laugh. Every time I look at the odds, we are not the favourites, not that it bothers me. Half of it is that people want someone else to win it.

"It is simple. Before I came here, Manchester United used to win the league and I would think it would be nice from a fans' point of view to see someone else putting up a challenge. Your heart rules your head sometimes."

Ferdinand is ready to meet the threat posed by the other leading clubs head on, after the manager admitted he felt there were six contenders for top spot next term.

There is a challenge every year," he explained. "You have to rise to it. Each year, we have risen to it and come through. We have won four out of the last five leagues. It has not been easy. It will be another tough season this year but we are looking forward to it.

"It was a weird summer. We won a 19th league title, which was obviously fantastic but we lost the Champions League final. When you dust yourself down in the summer and analyse everything, it was a successful season. If you had told us at the beginning of the season we would reach the Champions League final and win the league, we would have accepted it and I am sure you guys would have thought we had done quite well. That is how you have to look at it.

"The time before in Rome, I spent my whole summer moping around even though we had won the league. You have to savour moments like that. The 19th one was a big event. We should enjoy it."