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MANCHESTER, England (AP) -West Ham manager Alan Curbishley says Manchester United deserves to win the Premier League. The two sides meet Saturday, and a victory would bolster Man U's title chances.
Curbishley's comments haven't gone down well with Chelsea, which is even on points with the Red Devils in the fight for the title.
"I don't have a reason to doubt the integrity of Alan Curbishley," Chelsea manager Avram Grant said Friday. "But I think it's wrong to say things like this because he's involved in the games against United."
Ferguson, who has lost his last three matches against West Ham, dismissed Grant's concerns.
"I don't know why he's suggesting there's going to be anything untoward," Ferguson told reporters Friday. "They should know better than anyone, Chelsea, about these situations.
"But we must be in the driving seat, if we both win two games we have the better goal difference."
It's time Ferguson was due a favor from West Ham.
United's draw at Upton Park on the last day of the 1995 season denied the Red Devils of the title. But last season - with the championship already secured - Ferguson fielded a weakened side and the 1-0 loss prevented the Hammers from being relegated.
United's 2-1 loss at Chelsea last Saturday threw the title race open. But if United can take three points off West Ham and Newcastle beats Chelsea on Monday, the trophy will be returning to Old Trafford.
"Hopefully we can win the match tomorrow which would go a long way to winning the league," Ferguson said. "Newcastle is not an easy place to go now for Chelsea, they are on the march.
"The important thing for us is concentrating on tomorrow's game. If both of us win both our games, I will be very happy."
Striker Wayne Rooney could return on the bench after suffering a hip injury last weekend, but Ferguson won't be gambling ahead of the May 21 Champions League final against Chelsea.
Ferguson hopes United's tense 1-0 victory over Barcelona in the semifinals on Tuesday will kickstart the domestic campaign.
