85 points will be enough to win the Premier League this year, says Sir Alex

"Over the last few years, it's been around 89 or 90 points. I think the most has been 92," Sir Alex told Inside United magazine.

"This season it looks like around 85 is the target to aim for."

Arsenal are one point ahead with 65 points with Manchester United one point behind with 10 games to play while Chelsea are seven points behind with 11 games to play.

Sir Alex added: "The big clubs are taking points off each other and sides outside the top three are getting stronger and causing a few upsets. I think 85 will be enough to win it.

"I said in January that it would be a tight finish and that's still the case. "

The Old Trafford boss denied that United's experience could give them the edge in the run-in to the title.

"It would be a bigger factor if the other teams hadn't won anything. But the fact that some Arsenal players were around when they last won the League in 2004 means there's not much in it.

"People talk about Arsenal as a young side but they have experience too - and don't forget William Gallas won the Premier League with Chelsea so he knows all about the run-in.

"Make no mistake, players like Kolo Toure, Gilberto Silva and Jens Lehmann know what they're doing."

Meanwhile United's midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who is likely to line up against Lyon in the Champions League at Old Trafford tomorrow night, paid tribute to team-mate Ryan Giggs, who will be missing through injury.

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He told the magazine: "The way he's adapted his game is remarkable. I remember when he blasted past people but now he's chopping and switching positions and that's really difficult, esepcially as you get older.

"He's still brilliant too. People don't see his discipline off the pitch and he's the best role model for most professionals.

"He uses ice baths and stuff ... you definitely prolong your career doing these things early on in your profession. It's frightening to think what he's done."

And fellow midfielder Michael Carrick said of Giggs: "To play for a club like this when you're on top for so long like he has been, it's not luck. People often take him for granted, but he has continually set the highest standard.

"He's still playing as well now as ever and that's after 17 years. "