Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson appeared to concede the Premiership title to leaders Arsenal today, saying the north London club looked to be in an "unassailable position".
His comments contradicted quotes attributed to him in today's Sunnewspaper where he reportedly said Arsenal's "over-confidence" would cost them points in what appeared to be one of his traditional end-of-season taunts at United's title rivals.
"You can't really see them slipping up because all the times you expected them to drop something, they've come up with the answer and you have to give them credit for that," Ferguson told BBC Greater Manchester Radio.
"They look in an unassailable position now," the Scot added. "Our form since Christmas has been very good, but equally so Arsenal.
"They have been in fantastic form and you can't really see them losing now because they are in such a strong position.
"For Liverpool, too, if we were to beat Arsenal they could win the league so it's an exciting time for them too.
"We can only do our job and see what happens."
His words were in marked contrast to the defiance reported in the Sun. "Arsenal keep on saying they're gonna win this, they're gonna win that but they haven't won anything yet," the tabloid quoted Ferguson as saying.
"Sometimes you can be too confident.
"I think there is an air of that over-confidence at Highbury - and that may well cost them.
"If that kind of thing happens they may end up regretting all those things they've said."
United will move to within two points of Arsenal if they beat Ipswich at Portman Road on Saturday although they would then have played one game more than the leaders.
AFP