I want Anfield record, says United boss

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson last night warned rivals Liverpool that he has his heart set on overhauling their domestic record of 18 league titles.

Ferguson takes his Barclays Premier League champions to Anfield tomorrow for what promises to be a gripping clash with United's fiercest rivals.

And the 65-year-old previewed the game by stating that he wants to add three more league titles to United's 16 so that every United fan can say their club are the very best in English history.

Ferguson said: "In terms of successful teams, winning the league is without question the barometer of our game. In terms of English records, we have won the FA Cup more times than anyone and you get a certain pride in that.

"Liverpool at this moment have won the title more times than anyone and they will be proud of that. But the chase is on.

"It will always be on, to be the No 1 in the country. For us there is an expectation. For Liverpool, there is an expectation. I hope, before I leave, we can get to that position and beat Liverpool's record."

Ferguson was yesterday handed a two-game touchline ban — starting on December 29 — after admitting using foul and abusive language to referee Mark Clattenburg during the recent defeat at Bolton, but he is calling on his players to be mature amid the intensity of tomorrow's Anfield showdown.

He added: "If they are lambs, they are dead. If they are men, they will have no problem.

"You have got to be men, you have to be strong enough to handle that.

"If the crowd beats you, it doesn't say a lot for you, does it?"

Ferguson also admitted for the first time that he tried to buy Spanish striker Fernando Torres before he moved from Atletico Madrid to Anfield in the summer.

"We were linked with Torres many times," said Ferguson.

"For years we tried to do a deal with him but we never quite managed it, either because Atletico did not want to sell or the player felt he was too young.

"Then we just lost interest a bit."