Sir Alex Ferguson has conceded for the first time that his Manchester United squad is not as strong as title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool's.
Ferguson is wary that United are being muscled out of this year's championship because they lack the physical presence of previous years.
The Scot is hoping to have a host of injured players back soon, and will also make a foray into the transfer market when the window reopens in January in a bid to beef up his lightweight squad.
Ferguson said: "It has to be accepted we do not have as strong a pool as Arsenal or Liverpool, particularly on the physical side.
"Both have built big, athletic squads. We may have to look at how we can inject freshness at the club that balances out the power of Liverpool and Arsenal.
"I'm not talking about ability but sheer, physical power and speed.
"Liverpool's main intent is to have a powerful squad, particularly when you look at their midfield, and Arsenal are a big, strong side, too.
"They have come along, and particularly in Gerard Houllier's case, and gone 'bang' and just rebuilt their teams.
"We tend to tweak the team rather than have an overhaul. We have built on the great nucleus of players like Beckham, Butt, Giggs and Keane by adding one or two.
"Whereas Gerard Houllier came in and even this summer brought in four players.
"That is what you are seeing, the building of two teams here with Arsenal and Liverpool."
Ferguson feels he can no longer rely on the crop of players who have served him so well over the past decade to continue delivering the goods on a consistent basis.
"There has to be a transition because you cannot think the same players are going to do it all the time," Ferguson told The Sun.
Ferguson is wary that United are being muscled out of this year's championship because they lack the physical presence of previous years.
The Scot is hoping to have a host of injured players back soon, and will also make a foray into the transfer market when the window reopens in January in a bid to beef up his lightweight squad.
Ferguson said: "It has to be accepted we do not have as strong a pool as Arsenal or Liverpool, particularly on the physical side.
"Both have built big, athletic squads. We may have to look at how we can inject freshness at the club that balances out the power of Liverpool and Arsenal.
"I'm not talking about ability but sheer, physical power and speed.
"Liverpool's main intent is to have a powerful squad, particularly when you look at their midfield, and Arsenal are a big, strong side, too.
"They have come along, and particularly in Gerard Houllier's case, and gone 'bang' and just rebuilt their teams.
"We tend to tweak the team rather than have an overhaul. We have built on the great nucleus of players like Beckham, Butt, Giggs and Keane by adding one or two.
"Whereas Gerard Houllier came in and even this summer brought in four players.
"That is what you are seeing, the building of two teams here with Arsenal and Liverpool."
Ferguson feels he can no longer rely on the crop of players who have served him so well over the past decade to continue delivering the goods on a consistent basis.
"There has to be a transition because you cannot think the same players are going to do it all the time," Ferguson told The Sun.
