Arsenal game is United's 'biggest of the season', says Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United manager says clash is crucial to title race

'Both sides have a genuine chance of winning the league'

Sir Alex Ferguson has declared Manchester United's Premier League showdown with Arsenal on Sunday as his club's "biggest game of the season".

Although United put the title race to one side on Wednesday as they sealed a Carling Cup final berth at the expense of Manchester City, it did not escape Ferguson's notice that Chelsea swept back to the Premier League summit with victory over Birmingham, and still have a match in hand. Ferguson, therefore, is acutely aware of the importance of beating the only other side he believes can deprive United of a record fourth consecutive title.

"Looking at the way the league is shaping up, this game on Sunday is the biggest of the season for us," said Ferguson. "If Chelsea win their game in hand they go four points ahead of us. That is the catch-up part. But Sunday's game has great relevance because both sides have a genuine chance of winning the league."

United had never won at the Emirates Stadium until last season's Champions League semi-final. Since that one-sided encounter Arsenal have suffered successive heavy home defeats to Chelsea, though the Gunners have bounced back from those setbacks.

"It is amazing how this league has changed," said Ferguson. "As I have said all along, the team that is most consistent will win the league now. Arsenal's current form has been very good. It has brought them back into the picture. That is why this is such a massive game for us."

United will be without Rio Ferdinand, who starts a four-match ban after a Football Association disciplinary panel decided his appeal against a violent conduct charge for his attack on Hull's Craig Fagan last week was "frivolous".

Ferdinand is still deciding whether to lodge an appeal to try to get the additional match that was tagged on to the automatic three-game suspension rescinded.

That will be of no assistance on Sunday, although at least Ferguson does have Nemanja Vidic available after the Serbian defender recovered from a nerve problem that has kept him on the sidelines throughout the first few weeks of 2010.

As with Manchester City, there is a new competitive element to the contests with Arsenal that is bound to bring an added edge on the terraces as well.

Ferguson called for the vile chanting often directed towards Arsène Wenger to be curtailed, insisting the supporters who cheered his side to victory in midweek could do the same this weekend if they concentrate on the more positive aspects of their own team.

Chelsea will watch with interest, the manager Carlo Ancelotti no doubt hoping for a draw, which would offer his own side the chance to establish a strong grip on a championship race.

"These games with Arsenal are historic," he said. "Since I came down here, apart from the early years before George Graham won his first title, it was Arsenal and United who were mostly competing for the trophies.

"Without doubt Chelsea have become a prominent team in that respect too and it has been ourselves and Chelsea challenging for the league in the last few years. But you can never dismiss Arsenal because their history will always guarantee a challenge. And they are definitely in the fray again."