Premier League is still the best, insists Ferguson

ALEX FERGUSON is adamant the Barclays Premier League is still the best domestic competition in the world as Manchester United begin their quest for a record fourth successive title tomorrow.

A combination of Barcelona’s comprehensive Champions League final victory over United last May, plus the unprecedented levels of spending by Real Madrid, have led some to claim La Liga has edged ahead of its English counterpart.

But Ferguson, whose side tackle newly-promoted Birmingham at Old Trafford tomorrow does not feel the argument is valid, with old rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal remaining at the forefront of the European game.

“Some people have said the power has gone back to Barcelona and Real Madrid. I don’t know how they can say that. There is no evidence,” said Ferguson. “Over the years the Premier League has become the most competitive in Europe. I have no doubt in my mind about that.

“Barcelona deservedly won the European Cup last season but if you look over the last four or five years, the English teams have shared the real glory of Europe.

“I still feel the Premier League is the toughest in Europe.”

Yet for once, there is an element of doubt over all the leading contenders.

With Cristiano Ronaldo heading the list of talent recruited by Madrid, big question marks hang over United.

Liverpool have also let Xabi Alonso leave for the Bernabeu and once again appear over-reliant on Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, two exceptionally gifted players whose fitness records are not great.

Chelsea’s greatest piece of summer business has been persuading JohnTerry to snub Manchester City and remain at Stamford Bridge, while Arsenal have not replaced Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor, let alone addressed the concerns so many supporters expressed about them last term. “I don’t believe there is a doubt about the top four. Not in my mind,” countered Ferguson.

“The top four is well established and have all the criteria; experience, quality, good stadia, good squads. That top four will still be hard to beat.”

Nevertheless, Manchester City’s millions do bring an element of the unknown to proceedings, with Ferguson as intrigued as anyone to see how it works out.

“That is where all the interest lies,” he admitted. “Manchester City have taken us off the back pages. I am quite happy about that because sometimes you get fed up reading about yourself.’’

Meanwhile Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is calling on the Blues’ board to continue backing him in the transfer market.

McLeish has already brought in eight players this summer in preparation for the club’s return to the Barclays Premier League. The Scot admits he has already spent more than he intended, but he still hopes to bring in new faces before the transfer deadline at the end of the month.

McLeish’s next target is Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel, who could cost the club around £3million (€3.4m).

“We have spent more than the designated budget agreed at the end of the season,’’ McLeish said.

“I had to do that, the board have seen the difference between last time in the Premier League and now.

“I would still like to enhance the squad further, whether the board can see themselves fit to do that, it is their decision.’’

McLeish accepts the challenge facing his side this weekend is a difficult one but he believes they are capable of pulling off a shock result.

He said: “At the end of the day United are a formidable side and on paper they should win.

“There is no reason why every player should be going there feeling nothing but belief in themselves and dreaming they can cause an upset against all odds.”