Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced the Premiership fixturing is biased this season.

They are already eight points adrift of pacesetters Chelsea and Liverpool, albeit with a game in hand, and will fall another fixture behind when they go to Japan for the World Club Championship next month.

Chelsea also have a superior goal difference - some 13 better than United's - despite the champions hitting 10 in their last three games.

But Old Trafford boss Fergie insisted: "We've had a difficult first half to the season in terms of games away from home, against all the top teams and being away after every European tie.

"They say the league's not handicapped but I think it is this season. Our hope and intention is that we get to New Year a couple of points behind the leaders. If we do that, we've got a big chance.

"We don't want any slip-ups. The most consistent team wins the league and my side will have to be very good now. And we've made the point to the players that goal difference could be important, so we have to be sure we are the best at that.

"At this moment Chelsea are well ahead of us in terms of scoring goals, so there's leeway to be made up there as well as the points difference."