SIR ALEX Ferguson believes Manchester United's title-winning experience will see them secure a third straight Premier League title this season - and equal Liverpool's record haul of championships.

United have won 17 domestic titles to Liverpool's 18 and Fergie claimed his current crop of players have what it takes to draw level with their Anfield rivals and create another slice of history.

Although United are playing catch-up this season, with games to make up following their involvement in the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa World Club Cup, Fergie knows his players can haul their way back into contention despite Liverpool's impressive win at Newcastle on Sunday.

'We'd rather be top, there's no question about that,' said Fergie. 'But with our experience of being involved in these races, you'd expect that not to be an issue.

'The second half of the season is the most important. When you lose a game it really means something, in particular when you get to March and April.

Drop points

'My experience tells me that the teams at the top generally drop points.

'Sometimes you don't expect to drop points, but it happens so you need the experience to see that through.'

United face a frantic fixture schedule in the coming weeks which will see them play nine games in the next month alone - including a two-leg Carling Cup semi-final against Derby.

Their league matches against Fulham and Wigan have been re-arranged for 14 Jan and 17 Feb, games United must win to keep the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea at the top.

'We've got the squad so, hopefully, we can cope,' said Fergie. 'At the moment there's a trend of the sides at the top dropping more points.

'It happened last season, teams getting results you didn't expect. Manchester City beat us twice and we also lost at Bolton. It tells you that in this league you can lose anywhere, because it's so competitive.'

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