Ferguson concedes title

Arsenal 1-1 Man Utd

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson conceded the title to Arsenal after the draw at Highbury.

"We're 12 points behind Arsenal and they'll go on and win the league, I'm sure of that," said Ferguson.

"They are playing with great determination and they should win it now with just eight games to go."

But Ferguson was proud of the way his team battled back from 1-0 down. "I think we just reminded everybody that we're not dead yet," he added.

The United manager also insisted there were a lot of positives to take from the match ahead of next week's FA Cup semi-final game with the Gunners at Villa Park.

"It will be a very close game and a difficult one to call. We showed our desire here and we'll show it next Saturday too.

"We'll take a lot out of the game. We played with great tenacity and intensity during the match. Arsenal had one or two better chances on the counter in the first half," said Ferguson.

"Once we were aware of that we dealt with it and it was going to take a special goal to get them in front - and Thierry Henry's was a special goal. It was a great hit."

Asked if he felt United should have had a penalty when Ryan Giggs was brought down by Sol Campbell in the area, Ferguson replied: "I didn't think we were going to get a penalty from referee Graham Poll.

"He was under enormous pressure. It was a very difficult game for him to get."