Fergie is left Red-faced at Anfield

Posted Thursday, March 10, 2011 by thesun.co.uk

ALEX FERGUSON admits Manchester United were 'poor' and had 'no excuses' for their defeat at Liverpool.
United's boss has also warned that the 3-1 Anfield hammering has left them in a straight head-to-head with Arsenal for the title.

Ferguson said: "I have no excuses for the poor performance at Liverpool, who were the better team and deserved their win.

"I was disappointed because we didn't perform to the level I expect and which, to be fair, we generally achieve."

Arsenal are just three points behind United with a game in hand and could also halt their FA Cup ambitions on Saturday when the sides clash in the quarter-finals at Old Trafford.

Ferguson fears that unlike last season, when Arsene Wenger's side fell away at this time, now they are coming back strong.

He added: "Last season the Gunners faded around the February-March period to leave Chelsea and ourselves in a two-horse race which saw us pipped at the post by a point.

"I think most pundits expected to see something similar this season, plus a challenge from Spurs and Manchester City to make it even more difficult for Arsenal to get back up to the top.

"But Arsene Wenger and his players have rearranged the pecking order to come storming through to second place, three points behind us but with a game in hand.

"Clearly they represent the main danger to us achieving our ambitions in a revival of the rivalry of a few years ago — and I am sure they regard us as the major threat to their hopes."

Ferguson was speaking in his programme notes for Saturday's Arsenal date — the first time he has talked since his rant about referee Martin Atkinson following United's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on March 1.

That attack on the club's TV station MUTV landed him with a charge of improper conduct.

The FA are still to set a date for a personal hearing for Ferguson, who faces a two-game touchline ban plus a further two suspended from a previous charge.