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Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed John Terry’s suggestion Manchester United could crack under the pressure of the title race.

Reigning champions Chelsea are currently fifth in the Premier League, 12 points behind United, but they will have the chance to reduce the deficit when the teams meet at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Terry admitted that Chelsea have only a “really small” chance of retaining the title but said “a little bit of pressure” could see United lose their grip at the top of the table.

Having become renowned as a master of mind games during his 25 years at Old Trafford, though, Ferguson has given the comments short shrift.

“You try things,” he said. “We all try things, but it won’t be easy to come back from that kind of points deficit.

“I said some time ago the team that is most consistent would win the league. That is why I stress that we have to keep our momentum going and get that consistency.”

Before heading to Chelsea, United will be looking to take maximum points for a trip to relegation-threatened Wigan.

“It’ll be a difficult game,” Ferguson said. “Wigan are a team who play fantastic football, but this time of season they’re all difficult.”

He added: “The new pitch [at the DW Stadium] improves the quality of the game, there is no question about that.

“I believe it was very bad before but that they have done something about it is more in their interests than ours.

“If they thought it would help them to play us on a bad pitch, they would have left it, but they play in a particular way, where passing is important.”

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Michael Owen could return to the Manchester United squad for Saturday’s trip to Wigan.

Owen last featured in the FA Cup win at Southampton last month and, since then, he suffered a groin injury in training that it was feared could rule the 30-year-old out for an extended period, possibly the remainder of the season.

However, the damage was not as severe as had been depicted and Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed Owen is in contention for the encounter at the DW Stadium. “Michael is back training and could be available tomorrow,” he said.

Of the rest, only veteran winger Ryan Giggs is in contention to play, either at Wigan or Tuesday’s crucial clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

“The situation has not changed very much,” Ferguson said. “We are trying to get Ryan fit. Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans should both be back for Liverpool next weekend.

“Ji-sung Park is still two weeks away. Anderson will probably be back in three weeks, he’s back in Portugal now and we’ll have to see how he progresses.

“[Antonio] Valencia is doing well in training but it’s difficult to assess when he’ll be back. We have to make a decision as to how he feels given he’s been out for so long. He could be back in two weeks hopefully.”

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Cesc Fabregas would be fit to feature against Birmingham in the Carling Cup final on Sunday, according to his personal trainer.

Fabregas was substituted due to a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Stoke on Wednesday and, after the match, he wrote on Twitter: “I’ve waited too long to captain a final for Arsenal and I won’t give up till the last second.”

However, although Arsene Wenger has said it is only “a very small injury”, the Gunners boss insists Fabregas has no chance of featuring at Wembley at the weekend. There have been suggestions that Wenger is taking a precaution to protect Fabregas for the Premier League and, crucially, the second leg of Arsenal’s Champions League tie against Barcelona.

The player’s personal trainer, speaking on Thursday, said in the Daily Mirror: “If the scanner confirms what we hope, Cesc can play in the Nou Camp on March 8 without problems, no doubt.

“We are optimistic after tests this morning. Cesc asked for the change (against Stoke) as a precaution. He noticed a strange feeling but it stopped. Cesc could play this weekend.”

Several national newspapers report on Friday that Fabregas has refused to give up hope of leading the team out against Birmingham.

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The Glazer family have stressed that they intend to stay on as Manchester United owners in an official statement released alongside the club’s quarterly financial figures.

The Glazers moved to reaffirm their commitment to Manchester United in the wake of persistent rumours they will sell to the Qatar royal family in a £1.6 billion takeover deal.

The statement read: “The board notes recent press speculation regarding a possible bid for Manchester United. The owners remain fully committed to their long-term ownership of the club. No discussions have taken place, Manchester United is not for sale and the owners will not entertain any offers.”

The club announced a “strong balance sheet”, containing “net assets of £771 million and a cash balance of £134.5 million.”

With £134 million in the bank, there would seem to be ample funds for Sir Alex Ferguson to rebuild his squad, and the figures suggest that Manchester United remains a cash cow for its owners.

The figures issued quarterly to Bond Holders told of a “solid on-field performance” in their ‘Business Review’, and the statement stressed “continued investment in the playing squad”. Goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard signed in January, while Wayne Rooney and Anderson have extended their contracts until June 2015, Patrice Evra until June 2014 and Ryan Giggs until June 2012.

The club reported “year on year revenue growth of 8.2% from £144.7 million to £156.5 million driven by commercial revenues increasing 30.2% from £38.7 million to £50.4 million”. The club also reported year on year EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) growth of 3.2% from £58.7 million to £60.6 million.

Credit: By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent,http://soccernet.espn.go.com