Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates a ninth Premiership title yesterday with a stark warning for his club's closest rivals.

As the debate over where this latest championship success rates in the Scot's impressive list of achievements, the veteran manager is confident that, with so many key United players at the start of their careers, his current squad can only get better.

"They are young enough," said Ferguson. "A lot of them are winning their first title and that must help them, give them confidence and a system of how to win the league.

"For us, we had to change it this year, starting well and staying with it, showing the resilience of 29 weeks at the top of the league with someone breathing down your neck.

"These are things that will help them and they are young enough to expect them to go only one way.

"They are helped by the experience of (Paul) Scholes, (Ryan) Giggs, (Gary) Neville, (Ole Gunnar) Solskjaer and I think those people will be there for a couple of years at least."

Seasoned Old Trafford watchers reckon the team's form this season, and the precocious talent of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo in particular, means Ferguson's current squad could eclipse the 1994 and 1999 United teams, considered among the greatest in the club's history.

"Without question," said Ferguson, 65, of that possibility. "There have been indications, in certain types of games this season when we have had to battle through. Last Saturday, in the Manchester derby, was like that.

"They found their energy to get through the game, win 1-0 and they defended with great courage in the last ten minutes of the match. That's a good guideline in terms of the best Manchester United teams.

"Ability-wise? Yes, there is some excellent ability in the team, at some good ages. If this team can stay together for a few years, by doing that you develop friendships and become a stronger unit, so I expect them to improve."

Giggs, Scholes, Neville and Solskjaer may all be entering the final stages of their careers but Ferguson has no short-term fears about losing such legendary United names.

"Without a question, Ryan will play the next two years," said the manager. "He has looked after himself and has the type of physique that is good.

"Quite remarkably, he has retained most of his pace, maybe he is not as greased lightning as he was as a 17-year-old but he is still quick enough.

"Him and Paul Scholes, Gary Neville should be no problem for two more years at least, we have no immediate worries there.

"And of course, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is 34 but scored 11 goals this season. If he gives us another 11 next season, we will be dancing about it because that is another big contribution there."

Sunday's match against West Ham at Old Trafford may represent the end of United's league campaign but there is one more important date left in the domestic campaign with Ferguson's men facing title-rivals Chelsea at the new Wembley Stadium in Saturday's FA Cup Final.

"I think winning the FA Cup is a special event and, to me, the only way to enjoy Wembley is by winning," Ferguson explained.

"They talk about the improving English game, with three teams making the semi-finals of the Champions' League, and I think the Premiership is probably the best in Europe.

"This is an opportunity for both teams to give a display that shows the right two teams are playing at the new Wembley.

"I see Chelsea as our main challengers next year. Arsenal are a young team, Liverpool will be adding to their squad, maybe Arsenal, too. But obviously Chelsea, with their resources, could rebuild another team."

The Cup final also gives Ferguson the chance to claim the fourth league and cup double of his United reign after achieving the feat in 1994, 1996 and 1999, when they also lifted the European Cup for the second time in their history.

"It has been harder for us this season with the injuries," said Ferguson. "Hopefully, next season we will have a stronger squad to cope with these things because it would be nice to get to another European final."

(China Daily via AFP May 14, 2007)