United emerged from the busy Christmas and New Year period with a six point lead over second-placed Chelsea and Ferguson believes his side now have the understanding to stay in pole position in the second half of this season.

"We have got to a level where you can smell that the team is right together," he said. "People are familiar with one another -- their families get to know each other -- they understand each other's strengths and weaknesses.

"The longer they are with each other they develop these relationships and you can see that blends the team together," Ferguson also told the club's official magazine, Inside United.

And, with Chelsea struggling with injuries, Ferguson believes fortune is favouring the Old Trafford giants.

"That is maybe Chelsea's luck changing. They have had some incredible fortune the last couple of years, scoring in the last minute against Wigan and Tottenham last season.

"Chelsea also scored in the first two minutes against us, things like that. I do not think we have had any real luck in games.

"In terms of injuries we started out without the full squad. Gabriel Heinze was not fit, we've had problems with Gary Neville, then Ji-Sung Park and Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) got injuries.

"But we have coped really well because the squad has got stronger and more experienced. So when players are out we are handling it much better."

The Scot has also been pleased by United's disciplinary record this season. "It has been terrific. Basically we are concentrating on the game all the time.

"We are not surrounding referees like other clubs do. There is a good core of natural discipline because we do not have any players who go over the top.

"The younger players coming out of the academy are brought up the right way. Players like Darren Fletcher and Kieran Richardson are good, well-behaved players," Ferguson insisted.

On-loan striker Henrik Larsson is set to make his debut against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Sunday at Old Trafford and Ferguson added: "This is a guy that has been at the top end of striking for over a decade.

"He virtually won the European Cup (last season) for Barcelona against Arsenal by coming on and making two goals."