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Fresh faces key for United title charge - Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson feels Manchester United are in good shape © PA Photos

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Sir Alex Ferguson feels Manchester United's title push will benefit from the club's decision to pull Phil Jones and Chris Smalling from the line of fire, with the manager feeling a win over Tottenham at the weekend could set them on the road to glory.

The fledgling defenders have developed into key figures for United, with Rio Ferdinand struggling with niggling injuries and Nemanja Vidic a long-term absentee.

There are 12 games remaining in the title race and United trail rivals Manchester City by two points. The key game is likely to be when the two clash at the Etihad Stadium on April 30. Jones and Smalling are likely to be at full tilt for that fixture, having been given a rest after showing signs of fatigue earlier in the campaign.

"I should have more players available than I've had in the last few weeks because we've had a terrible spell of injuries," Ferguson told Inside United. "But we've done the right thing in the treatment of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, we've given them a break.

"They are young players and they had been carrying little strains for weeks. Then all of a sudden it hits them, and we had to take stock, to get them back. We've given them a fair break and they're fresh now."

Ferguson has made a big thing of the experience within his side with regard to winning titles and he has once again stressed how important it will be to have winners at his disposal in the final weeks of the season.

"Wayne Rooney's been with us for nearly eight years now and he's won a few championship medals," Ferguson said. "He knows what it takes to win it. When he and Cristiano Ronaldo first came to the club, it was all new to them - the demands of winning the league here.

"I think the aim for all the players is to try and get to four or five league medals, and then they'll have great experience of how to handle the title race."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.