Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson refused to give up on the Premier League title after his side slipped seven points behind Arsenal on Saturday. ‘‘It is a big mountain to climb now but it’s achievable,’’ Ferguson told the club’s website. ‘‘It’s amazing what this team can do when they get into their stride but this is as big a mountain as we have ever had to climb.’’The champions overturned an eight-point deficit on Arsenal last season to seal their eighth title in 11 seasons but the unbeaten leaders are in ominous form with 12 matches remaining. ‘‘We will have to perform far better than we did today if we are going to catch them,’’ Ferguson said. ‘‘We have put ourselves in a really difficult position.’’ Ferguson also faces a defensive crisis following an injury to Mikael Silvestre who is very doubtful for Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Porto. With Rio Ferdinand suspended and Gary Neville about to begin a three-match ban, Manchester United have whole to plug in defense.
