Boss: We Have A Great Chance

Sir Alex Ferguson has told MUTV he is a firm believer that 1-0 victories are the hallmark of champions.

The Reds' capacity to grind out wins is legendary and the manager was delighted with a clean sheet from the 1-0 triumph against Fulham on Monday night. Although joking about the supporters' nerves fraying at Old Trafford, he is convinced that United have the temperament required to go all the way again in 2012 and clinch a 20th title.

"That's the way it's going to be and we may as well get used to it," he said about the tension as the clock ticked down at the Theatre of Dreams. "How many times have I said to you about 1-0? What does it mean? It means championship form.

"I don't mind the 1-0s, I really don't because it tells you we are determined, we're going to defend, do the right things and play as a team like we had to on Monday night."

When it was suggested that the match against the Cottagers was never going to be as easy as some had hoped, he replied: "I know that. You know that. The experienced players know that. The crowd still don't know that and they've been watching us for 100 years! They still get nervous when we're not finishing teams off but we should've finished them off."

A three-point lead means United are on course to make history again come May but the manager is taking nothing for granted.

"I'd take it at any time in the season," he said about the difference at the top. "When you look back a few months ago, we were seven points behind [Manchester] City. The area where we are concerned is goal difference but winning is obviously important and, if we keep winning, we have a great chance."