Arsenal's victory at City and the champions' draw at Spurs enabled the Gunners to shake off United's attentions to move into pole position and a two-point advantage.
Chelsea's draw at Portsmouth, however, was a plus for the Reds.
"The only positive was that Chelsea drew and didn't get anywhere nearer to us," said Rio. "We'd like to be top of the table but we are still in a good position to strike.
"I think it was a point gained at White Hart Lane if you look at it and the way the game panned out.
"We are a never-say-die team and you never know what will happen. We had to show grit and determination. You need that spirit if you want to win things."
Ferdinand was among the clutch of Reds who badgered the linesman after Spurs' goal.
Fortunate
"I thought they were fortunate with their goal. It was handball and how the linesman didn't see it I will never know," he added.
"I was behind it and I could see it and I don't know how the linesman didn't. That's why I was remonstrating with him.
"I thought he handled it. Owen would have cleaned up if he hadn't hit the ball with his hand and then it led to the cross and the goal.
"It wasn't a good start by us though and that's when spirit comes into it.
"They worked hard. We knew we would have to work hard for points.
"They never seem to let their game drop when we come here. Even if we win we know we have been in a hard game. It was no different to normal."
United's leveller came with time virtually up.
"I went up for the corner and the referee said to me `30 seconds' and I knew it was the last chance saloon.
"Luckily it was a good ball in from Nani and Carlos Tevez was there to slide it home. We earned our point."
Do you think it was two points lost or a point gained? Have your say.
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Gerry, Glastonbury (04/02/2008 at 09:14)
Their goal wasn't an intentional hand ball and if any goal was fortunate it was ours!!!
It was though as you say, definitely a point gained.
Spurs are good enough to take points off of Arsenal & Chelsea.
mr man utd (04/02/2008 at 10:21)
This title is still for us to lose surely,come on Reds
edinburgh red, edinburgh (04/02/2008 at 10:22)
Bill Wirral (04/02/2008 at 10:37)
My main concern is that when we have been in a position to push on and take advantage of extending the lead we have not been able to do that. As I have said on another posting my other concern is SAF and his loyalty to Giggs and Fletcher. Ryan has been a fabulous servant to our club but SAF's obsession with him and Sir Bob's record could go against us. SAF has been ruthless in the past I want to see him ruthless again or we could end up with nowt.
Duncan, London (04/02/2008 at 10:44)
Always a Red, Sliema, Malta (04/02/2008 at 11:37)
Dan (04/02/2008 at 12:03)
Football is a funny game. People are blamming Reo here for marking Berb. For God sake, 12 goals conceded in 24 games and even then we are complaining.
I hope SAF does not read some comments here. Leave our team and support them through thick and thin. ASK CHELSKI and liverfool fans, they would love to be in our position.
I know we all love our team and always want to see it on the top but other teams are there to play as well. Otherwise whats the point of having a league at all.
Last but not the least, and of November, we were 5 points behind Arsenal and they had a game in hand. Now we are just 2 points behind them.
Lets rally our team and stop moaning.
Alias Smith, over the moon (04/02/2008 at 13:18)
seasider, blackpool (04/02/2008 at 13:20)
Before the weekend, I reckoned on 3 possible banana skins: Spurs and Chelsea away, plus the Arsenal at home. I thought if we draw those three and win the rest, we'll be OK. I still think that.
Spurs are good. If you play a couple of youngsters and you're not on your game, you can lose 6-1 at the Lane these days. This was an excellent point for us and the team will be elated by the late equaliser as opposed to feeling deflated by another defeat. Bring on City!
Dan (04/02/2008 at 14:06)
We take our success for granted these days. We assume that it is our god given right to win every single game. Dont forget we went 26 years without winning the league and then came SAF and spoilt us. I can bet my bottom dollar that if SAF had felt that giggsy and Scholsey are past it then he would have kicked them out like others. But trust me guys, they are still better than the rest.
exactly one season ago people were saying SAF has lost but he won the league by beating Chelski ( biggest achievement of them all), went to CL semi final and FA cup final.
If you cannot trust SAF now, then you never will.
Dan (04/02/2008 at 14:07)
neal 07, south stand lower (04/02/2008 at 15:12)
yes, we only drew on Saturday. yes we are now 2 points behind the gooners.
but yes we are in such a wonderful position right now, the team has so much young potential, we are being spoilt by the football and the drooling thought of what this season can still bring to us..the treble is still on as is another domestic double...
in this very emotional week, lets pay our respects to the busby babes and rally around each other, both players and supporters and be proud of our great club.
we, WILL have silverware come may...question is how many pieces
Busby babes R.I.P xx
Roy (04/02/2008 at 15:25)
Then like now it was Ronaldo that was getting the key goals but then every one was chipping in. Rooney was also playing better. But this season Utd have a far stronger squad. Tevez has got the goals of Solskjaer and Larsson, but we have missed Saha's brilliant half season. His absence means that Rooney and Tevez can't be rested.
Utd are better this year defensively but not as good as an attacking team (or in their away results as pointed out by another poster). I stress attacking team as this is a title race between Utd and their individual brilliance and Arsenal and their team play.
I argue Utd will win the title if their team play improves.
Red Dawn (04/02/2008 at 16:38)
Secondly, we haven't played great in London this season, bar that of the game against Arsenal.
We lost to West Ham, who are a far inferior side to Spurs.
Spurs are now looking a very good side under Ramos, and very few teams will go there and come away with anything.
A point is a good return considering the mess Ferguson made of things, but if players played in the right position, we could have got all 3.
Anyway, whats done is done, so time to move on.
bobbydazzler (04/02/2008 at 16:49)
KH (04/02/2008 at 17:40)
red4ever, Chennai (04/02/2008 at 19:42)
Grudgingly I was admiring the change at Spurs. But they had a twelfth man called Clatterbug(!) who put our boys on the mat with his brazen animosity against ManU.
There is only one strength at Arsenal. Fabregas has that uncanny passing ability Becks has. We have Anderson who is just as good. He needs to start every match even though he does get to run out of steam at the end.
He is still very young and his incredible workrate also contributes to him being everywhere at the same time.
Personally I have no fear about us stumbling any time. The crux is that do other teams have the strength to make Arsenal stumble.
Gary Breen's Handball (04/02/2008 at 21:30)
shola-shoneils, Finland (04/02/2008 at 22:46)
joey (04/02/2008 at 23:07)
http://profile.imeem.com/6I6c0te/video/NTFb-PHQ
He could be worth it after all.....
50 grand a week, manchester (04/02/2008 at 23:50)
Gerry, Glastonbury (05/02/2008 at 10:05)
You obviously don't feel Spurs are capable of taking points from the top boys. OK, that's fair enough but
I hope you're wrong, as they still have to play Chelsea at the Lane as well as in the Carling Cup Final.
edinburgh red, edinburgh (05/02/2008 at 14:45)
Gerry, Glastonbury (05/02/2008 at 16:38)
I would also say that Carrick has played as well as any of the midfielders this last month - that's a fact!
I was at Villa when Scholes & Anderson played together. That was one of our best away performances when we won there 1-4. Perhaps Scholes does need younger legs around him these days and someone with an attacking intent.I seem to remember a certain Cantona being similar!
I don't think anyone can really judge Hargreaves as yet - he simply hasn't played enough for anyone to give a measured opinion. I'm sure he'll do well in Europe for us though with a 3 man midfield.
Anderson will be a talent, he lacks experience but brings that bit of flair that Scholes had in his youth.
They all have something to offer which is a great position to be in as a club.
No other club has a better choice of midfield players. So stop bellyaching & whingeing you load of old gits!!!!!
Alias Smith, over the moon (05/02/2008 at 21:31)