Sir Alex Ferguson could be forgiven for feeling rather smug. Chelsea are all at sea while Liverpool lost Steven Gerrard to injury only two days after selling Robbie Keane this week and Fernando Torres is still not match-fit, but the Manchester United manager will not allow the problems his title rivals are facing lull either him or his players into a false sense of security.

Perhaps it is the prospect of a tricky trip to a bogey ground such as Upton Park tomorrow afternoon, coupled with the knowledge that Liverpool could regain top spot in the Barclays Premier League - even if it is for only 24 hours - should they overcome Portsmouth this evening, which prompted Ferguson to err on the side of caution, but the United manager is still preparing for the long haul.

“It [the title race] could well [go to the wire],” Ferguson said yesterday. “You've got to put your mind towards thinking that - expect the worst and hope for the best.

“I think that if the scenario was the same as last season, and we have to win on the last day away to Hull City, that's fine. At the start of the season, we'd have taken that position. The way the table is shaping up, with so many teams fighting at the bottom, I don't think you'll get an easy game anywhere.”

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Cautious, then, but clearly not concerned. United may have won only once in their past nine visits to the capital - against Fulham at Craven Cottage in March last year - and endured some unhappy experiences away to West Ham United in recent times, but with his team chasing an eighth successive win and thirteenth consecutive clean sheet in the league, Ferguson said that he would fancy his chances against anyone.

“I wasn't aware of that [United's recent poor league record against clubs in London] but obviously with the form of the team as it is, I would be prepared to take them anywhere. I think the players have acquired some things over the past couple of years playing together. You can see a lot of mental strength in the players here. They can deal with most things.”

United will be boosted further by the return from injury of Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra, even if neither is likely to be involved from the start against West Ham. Rooney, the England forward, has been out for 3½ weeks since suffering a hamstring injury in the 1-0 win at home to Wigan Athletic last month, while Evra, the left back, has had a foot problem.

While most eyes are likely to be on Edwin van der Sar, the United goalkeeper, who will break Chris Woods's British record of not conceding a goal for 1,196 minutes - for Rangers between November 1986 and January 1987 - if he keeps West Ham at bay for 75 minutes, Ferguson appears just as pleased with the form of Michael Carrick. One of the quiet men of the United dressing-room, Carrick has, nonetheless, been one of the driving forces behind the club's push for a third successive league title and Ferguson believes it is about time the England midfield player got more credit.

“It's happened to a few players at Manchester United - the quieter types sometimes get overlooked by the fans and the press,” Ferguson said. “I made that point about Denis Irwin when he was here and Michael may come into that category.

“He's a terrific footballer. He could always open up defences, but he has developed very well physically coming here and improved tremendously on the defensive play.”

****

Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham United manager, is prepared to be hospitable when Manchester United visit Upton Park tomorrow, but only to a point. Zola will bring wine from his birthplace to share with Sir Alex Ferguson after the game. “I have bought a few special bottles — Sardinian red of course,” Zola said, “but I’m not sure if I’ll open them. That will depend on the result. They might go back home with me in a bag.”