Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits their trip to Tottenham this weekend will have a "massive" bearing on the title race.

Ferguson always felt a six-week run of fixtures from mid-January onwards would hold the key to United's hopes of a record 20th championship.

"It's going to be a massive game [at Spurs]," he told Inside United.

"If we can survive that one, then we'll have a big chance of winning the league.

"I would take it [being two points behind City going into the game at the Etihad Stadium]. I would rather go there on level points.

"But if we could go there within striking distance of being top of the league, I'd take it."