Fergie: Dont write us off

Sir Alex Ferguson is not writing off Manchester United's Premiership title chances just yet despite Chelsea's flying start to the season.

The champions reeled off their ninth straight league win when they put five past Bolton on Saturday, consolidating their 10-point advantage over the third-placed Red Devils.

Even though less than a quarter of the campaign has been completed, some bookmakers have already started paying out on Jose Mourinho's men, so certain are they Chelsea will retain their crown.

Even Ferguson, whose side host the table-toppers on 6 November, accepts the Londoners are pushing themselves into an extremely strong position.

But, while he admits the Champions League is currently a more obvious trophy target than the Premiership, Ferguson has been around long enough to know nothing will be won for a while yet."At this very moment in time, the Champions League is obviously our best chance because unless Chelsea start dropping points they are going to be in a very strong position," said the Scot.

"They are relentless just now but it is still only October and it would be silly to think about them being champions."

If outward impressions are anything to go by, Ferguson is certainly not getting wound up by United's Premiership plight.He was relaxed enough to play a game of cat and mouse over the likelihood of Ryan Giggs making his 100th European appearance for the Red Devils - he eventually conceded the Welshman probably would - and also threw in a bit of French as he summed up the talents of Tuesday night's opponents Lille.

Ferguson remains as determined as he has ever been to bring the European Cup back to Old Trafford for a third time.And, although he might not welcome the suggestion, United's chances of achieving that aim could be aided by Chelsea's seemingly unstoppable march on the domestic front.

The Old Trafford chief is convinced the draining effects of a Premiership campaign undermine an English challenge on the European front.

Liverpool's surprise success last year, he believes, was partly due to their total failure to mount any kind of title fight.

"The English league is very fierce," he said. "We have eight games in December alone and that makes it very difficult for us."You have more chance of winning the Champions League if you are fresh rather than having battled through the Premiership, then need to try and win a quarter-final, semi-final and final."In some countries like Portugal and France, teams get help by being allowed to play on Friday nights."It is difficult to do that in England. At this time of year you play two games a week nearly every week and you also have the internationals. There is not much leeway for moving fixtures in our country."

After picking up an encouraging four points from their opening two fixtures, United are looking to consolidate their position at the head of Group D by beating a Lille side who have managed just one draw and are yet to score.

Home hopes are hampered by the absence of Wayne Rooney, who serves the final game of a two-match ban picked up for his needless dismissal in Villarreal.It offers Giggs an obvious opportunity for a recall, possibly in a more attacking role alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy, with Park Ji-Sung and Cristiano Ronaldo retaining their positions on the flanks.

One man not likely to start is Giuseppe Rossi, who at Sunderland on Saturday took just 15 minutes of his Premiership debut to net his first senior goal.Ferguson has promised the American-born Italian more involvement, although next week's Carling Cup encounter with Barnet is a more realistic option.

"I wouldn't be afraid to play the boy," said Ferguson. "He is a fantastic talent but I think we will need more experience on Tuesday."