London, May 8:

The Premier League title has barely been decided and manager Alex Ferguson is already planning for the next one.

United won its first English title since 2003 on Sunday without kicking a ball when Chelsea drew 1-1 with Arsenal.

“It was a difficult task given the amount of money Chelsea have,” Ferguson said of his ninth Premier League title. “They were also the most resilient opponents we have ever come across.”

Ferguson said on Monday that he has targeted three new players to bolster United’s squad in the offseason. “As everyone knows, there is competition for the best players and when there is competition, it costs, so we will just have to wait and see,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson has long been an admirer of Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves. Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has also been linked to Old Trafford. Southampton defender Gareth Bales is also a United target, amid rumors of a Juventus move for Gabriel Heinze.

Ferguson knows that he will be competing with Chelsea for players, but hopes the status of playing for United will prove a better lure. “It is not a question of attracting players. The real competition comes when Chelsea pay 27 million pounds for someone like Michael Essien. They can outbid us all.”

Ferguson is most impressed with how his club’s strong start to the season helped it challenge Chelsea. “It was something no one else had done in the previous two years,” Ferguson said.

“Not only did we do that, we got in front of them and stayed there, which was a fantastic achievement, possibly the club’s greatest achievement simply because it is a relatively new team which will hopefully get better.” Ferguson said he was particularly happy with his team’s style of play this season.

And there’s still time for a few more trophies before the 65-year-old Ferguson retires. “Age creeps up on you,” Ferguson said. “I still think of myself as being in my 50s. All of a sudden you read in the paper you are 65 and think, ‘That can’t be right’.”