Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Manchester United stalwarts Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen will have a big impact on the side's push for the title, as the Red Devils prepare to take maximum points from their game in hand against Fulham tonight.

Ferdinand suffered from lacklustre form at the start of the season, and Ferguson admitted that he may have to change his style of play to suit his more mature age.

But as United finally showed their dominance over cross-town rivals Manchester City in the table this month, Ferguson reserved special praise for the way that Ferdinand has moved through some tough times this season to show that despite being 33, he can still dominate any attacker.

"I forget Rio's been here for nearly ten years now. I keep thinking I signed him three or four years ago!" Ferguson told the official Manchester United website.