Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged his Manchester United side to end the year top of the Premier League table as they look to retain the title.Uniteds 2-0 win against QPR moved them to the top of the league for the first time since October.The important thing is to be there on New Years Day, said the United manager.If youre involved right at the top part then you know the second half of the season, well relish that.United face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday before hosting Wigan on Boxing Day and Blackburn Rovers on New Years Eve, while Manchester City host Stoke, also on Wednesday, before travelling to West Brom on Boxing Day and Sunderland on New Years Day.He added: We have been a bit sparse in terms of goals scored in the last few weeks but we won 4-1 last Saturday and a 2-0 today and I think everyone would say we should have scored more.Their goalkeeper made two fantastic saves which has obviously kept them in the game but we played some good football.Having watched his side be outplayed by United, QPR boss Neil Warnock predicted the most open title race for years.I think they have all got opportunities, and that includes Tottenham and Arsenal. I wouldnt write anybody off because I dont think there is a lot between them.Manchester City are as good anyone and you have seen what a good squad United have got and I would never write Chelsea off either.I dont think you can see the bookies making a price. It is going to be the closest for many years.Wayne Rooney scored with less than a minute on the clock, to open the scoring and make it three goals in two games and 12 for the season.As I said last week if we can get Wayne [Rooney] on one of his goalscoring bursts that he can do, added Ferguson.He can go three, four, five, six or seven games scored like he did a couple of years ago in particular.Last year he got around the 20 mark, Chicarito [Javier Hernandez] got us 20-odd, [Dimitar] Berbatov got us 20-odd and you need that off your goalscorers.Warnock also praised Rooney, saying: I thought Rooney was different class. You dont realise how good he is until you see him live. He hardly gave a ball away.
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