Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes his team's trip to Swansea City in the Premier League on Sunday is the start of a pivotal run of matches.

United goes into the weekend six points clear of second-place Manchester City, which hosts bottom club Reading on Saturday.

Ferguson's side then hosts Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion before travelling to Wigan Athletic on Jan 1.

The United manager believes that if his team is in the same position when it travels to the DW Stadium, it will have taken a major step towards winning a 20th league title.

Ferguson said: "We have every right to expect a challenge. I think that's what we are good at. That's why I'm looking at December as an opportunity to gather points and make sure we are top of the league come New Year's Day.

"And if we are top of the league on New Year's Day, you know well - and everyone else knows well - that we're going to be in the ball park at the end of the season. We know there are going to be challenges - it could come from Chelsea, too - but I think City and ourselves will be battling it out (for the title)."

Ferguson, whose team has won 10 of its past 11 league games, has been impressed by the progress of Swansea, which is now in its second season in the Premier League.

Manager Michael Laudrup has continued the work of Brendan Rodgers, who left for Liverpool in the summer, and Ferguson says United will not take the Welsh side lightly.

"We've seen the results Swansea have had and the progress they've made as a football club and the way they do it is the important thing for me," he said.

"They try to play and have the courage to play their football, which is good. At this time of the year, all of these games are challenges because they come thick and fast now.

"Utilizing the squad and picking the right teams will be important and hopefully we can get through it and be in the same position we are now."

Jonny Evans is set to return from a hamstring problem but may not be risked at Liberty Stadium.

Midfielder Michael Carrick is also a minor doubt after being withdrawn at halftime in the 3-1 win over Sunderland last weekend with a hamstring injury.

Brazilian defender Rafael misses out again with a hamstring injury, Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa has yet to return from knee trouble and winger Nani still has a hamstring injury.

After hosting United, Swansea heads to Reading and Fulham before a home game against Aston Villa.

Laudrup believes beating Villa would be more important in the quest to improve his team's league position, but he wants to take the scalp of the Premier League leader as well.

"It's important to get three points off Man United, the same as it is against Reading," Laudrup said.

"But, being honest, I'd rather beat Villa here. Of course, we would like to win (against United), but it would put so much focus on the club at a time where we need to focus on games.

"So, if I knew we were going to get six or seven points in the next three games, I wouldn't mind losing it. Of course, it doesn't work like that and we will want to win the game.

"They are the No 1 club from the last 15 or 20 years in terms of titles, finals and a legendary manager - but it it still only one game."

(China Daily 12/23/2012 page7)