Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed he was not bothered about having to play after Liverpool again as the Premier League title race comes down to the wire.

Rafa Benitez's team will turn out before United in three of their next four matches but failed to press home that advantage as their drew 4-4 at Anfield with Arsenal.

Ferguson knows his team now have a massive opportunity to forge ahead with the teams level on points, but United having two games in hand - starting against Portsmouth at Old Trafford tonight.

"It doesn't matter when Liverpool play," said Ferguson.

"We are focused enough on what we have got to do."

Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Edwin van der Sar and Ryan Giggs are all set to return after missing the FA Cup semi-final defeat by Everton at the weekend.

Paul Scholes can also expect to be in the starting line-up after coming on as a substitute during at Wembley.

It promises to be a memorable night for Scholes, who is set to become only the fourth United player to make 600 appearances for the club.

"At United, you can go back to the Best, Law and Charlton era," added Ferguson. "Before that you have Duncan Edwards.

"You are talking a wide panorama of players. But in my time he would be in the top six or seven without a doubt. His contribution and quality have been great, even without the fantastic goals he has scored.

"When he came on against Everton on Sunday, his first touch was better than anyone else's had been in the whole previous hour. He has that wonderful velvet touch on the ball. When he gets it, it goes stone dead.

"It is wonderful to see that amidst all the mayhem that can happen in a football match."