Sir Alex Ferguson has said he would be content for Manchester United to enter the derby with Manchester City on 30 April still two points behind the leaders, but that Sunday's game at Tottenham Hotspur is "massive" for his side's title hopes.

Ferguson told Inside United magazine: "It's going to be a massive game [at Spurs]. If we can survive that one, then we'll have a big, big chance of winning the league. Yes, 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."

The United manager is also hopeful of having more of his squad back fit. "I should have more players available than I've had in the last few weeks because we've had a terrible spell of injuries," the Scot said.

"But we've done the right thing in the treatment of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, we've given them a break. They are young players and they had been carrying little strains for weeks. Then all of a sudden it hits them, and we had to take stock, to get them back. We've given them a fair break and they're fresh now."