Ferdinand relishing ‘intense’ title battle run-in

RIO FERDINAND is looking forward to the intensity of a three-pronged title battle – just as long as Manchester United emerge the victors.

A combination of their own 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Sunday and Chelsea’s failure to beat Blackburn at Ewood Park put United in pole position for the first time this year.

Alex Ferguson’s men know even if Chelsea win their game in hand against cash-strapped Portsmouth at Fratton Park tomorrow night, they will still be a point better off than the Londoners, who must visit Old Trafford on April 3.