Fergie eyes City tussle

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson predicts a long season ahead following Manchester United’s nervy win over West Ham at Old Trafford last night.

Robin van Persie scored the only goal after 33 seconds, which proved enough to keep the Red Devils ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

"We got a great start," said Ferguson. "You hope to go on from a start like that and some of our football was very good, but we never quite finished them off.

"We have got the three points and are still ahead in the league. With Chelsea drawing, it draws us away from them a little bit further. But of course, (Manchester) City are on our tails so it is going to be a long season."