Fergie rues fixture list

Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson feels that his side have been handicapped due to the tough fixtures and game build up in the Premiership this season.

''They say the league's not handicapped but it is handicapped,'' Ferguson said ''Every game after a European tie is away from home.

''We've got the top 10 teams from last year's league all away from home in the first half of the season.

''So you can see it's been a big challenge to us.

''But hopefully, if we can get in among the top ones come the turn of the year, we'll have a big chance next year.''