145;Big mountain ahead, but we can climb it146;

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson refused to give up on the Premier League title after his side slipped seven points behind Arsenal on Saturday. 8216;8216;It is a big mountain to climb now but it8217;s achievable,8217;8217; Ferguson told the club8217;s website. 8216;8216;It8217;s amazing what this team can do when they get into their stride but this is as big a mountain as we have ever had to climb.8217;8217;

The champions overturned an eight-point deficit on Arsenal last season to seal their eighth title in 11 seasons but the unbeaten leaders are in ominous form with 12 matches remaining. 8216;8216;We will have to perform far better than we did today if we are going to catch them,8217;8217; Ferguson said. 8216;8216;We have put ourselves in a really difficult position.8217;8217; Ferguson also faces a defensive crisis following an injury to Mikael Silvestre who is very doubtful for Wednesday8217;s Champions League trip to Porto. With Rio Ferdinand suspended and Gary Neville about to begin a three-match ban, Manchester United have whole to plug in defense.