ALEX FERGUSON will willingly swap sentiment for silverware if it means Manchester United find themselves crowned kings of the Premiership again today.

United go into the early morning clash with Leicester with the knowledge that the championship will remain in the Old Trafford vaults if they claim a Filbert Street victory and both Liverpool and Newcastle fail to win later in the day.

And with United being forced to play their last four games in the final nine days of the season, that's exactly the pressure easing scenario Ferguson wants, even though he has previously admitted that he would love to experience the magic of a title winning night at Old Trafford.

"I don't care how we win it, although it would be very exciting to clinch it at Old Trafford," said Ferguson, who has plotted United's path to the title three times in the last four seasons but has seen every triumph clinched either away from home or by the misfortunes of rival teams.

"At the end of the day, what matters is that we win it and I am sure that the fans will say the same.

"They are all important games now, but this is a time to enjoy it. It's a great period for the players because the excitement of last year and the year before is starting to regenerate again and I think they are all looking forward to it."

The Theatre of Dreams hasn't staged a title clinching occasion since 1965 and the scene will be set for another chapter of Old Trafford history when United entertain Middlesbrough on Bank Holiday Monday if today's results keep the race alive.

And with Coca Cola Cup winners Leicester still embroiled in the struggle at the opposite end of the table, United will be facing a team with plenty to prove themselves.

Leicester boss Martin O'Neill said: "We need the points ourselves so we're not going to roll over by any means.

"After having such a great year we don't want to blow it at the death, but beating Manchester United is always difficult and trying to beat them when they're on the verge of the title will be even worse.

Leicester knocked United out of the Coca Cola Cup back in November but crashed to a Premiership defeat at Old Trafford just a few days later.

And both teams will have full strength squads to choose from, with Ryan Giggs finally shaking off the groin problem tat has kept him out of the last two matches and Leicester being boosted by skipper Steve Walsh's declaration of fitness despite a knee worry and Emile Heskey's confirmation that the ankle injury sustained on England under 21 duty has now cleared.

Liverpool remain United's only realistic challengers and even then the Merseysiders will need something of a football miracle if the championship is to go back to Anfield for the first time in seven years.

Roy Evans's men go into tomorrow evening's home clash with Tottenham five points adrift of their arch rivals from the opposite end of the East Lancs Road having played a game more and it seems their only hope, of a Champions' League berth is to secure runnersup spot.

With Robbie Fowler suspended Evans has to decide who will partner Stan Collymore up front, with Patrik Berger and young Anfield shooting star Michael Owen in the frame.

Neil Ruddock boosted his claims for a permanent place with an outstanding defensive display in the glorious European failure at the hands of Paris St Germain and looks likely to partner Mark Wright, while John Barnes may be left out again after being axed for the first time in his 10 year Anfield career for the visit of the French.

Spurs have fitness doubts over Ian Walker, So Campbell, Allan Nielsen, Darren Anderton, Teddy Sheringham and Ruel Fox, while Colin Calderwood plays his last game before entering operation to cure a knee injury.

Manager Gerry Francis will give Norwegian goalkeeper Espen Baardsen his debut if Walker fails to shake off Achilles and shoulder problems.