Sir Alex Ferguson expects toughest title race yet ahead of Manchester United's Premier League defence

The Red Devils' manager praises the Premier League as 'the best product in football' and outlines what his club need to achieve in order to retain their crown in the coming season

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims winning the Premier League this season will be as tough as ever He also believes that any winner will have to reach 84 points in order to secure the title and that the fight at the top will be joined by both Tottenham and Liverpool.

Speaking to reporters, Sir Alex said: "To win the league in England is very difficult and it doesn't matter how you get the points, you just have to get them. You'll need 84 points to win the league next season - definitely. "There will be increased competition in the league - I expect Liverpool to be better and added to the top four you have got Tottenham, although they have not done any buying this summer which is surprising, so you expect it's going to be a really tough league."

Comparing the status of the Premier League with its counterparts in Europe, including the extremely well attended Bundesliga in Germany, Sir Alex feels what distinguishes the English league is its competitiveness.

"You are looking at a top six fighting for a top four and that can only add to the excitement of the Premier League, which I think is the best product in the game now," he stated. "In Germany next season all the season tickets are taken up in every ground and that will create a fantastic atmosphere in German grounds, but United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have full houses every week and I still think we are the best product."

He also spoke about the upcoming international fixtures as not being too much of a problem, saying: "They have been doing it for two or three years now so why should it be any different this year? I've no issue with it, some players may need a game during the week. "We may have two or three players that actually need 90 minutes." However, Sir Alex still criticised the overall international calendar, continuing: "But with more and more internationals something has got to give and that's a big issue."