Ferguson hoping for another United dynasty

MANCHESTER, England, May 7 (Reuters) Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said he hoped his team's first Premier League title in four years marked the start of another sustained spell of success, rather than the pinnacle of their endeavours.

United clinched their 16th championship and ninth under Ferguson when Chelsea -- described by Ferguson as his most resilient ever rivals -- finally failed in their chase when only drawing with Arsenal yesterday.

''I think it's the club's greatest achievement, simply because it's a relatively new team together and hopefully it's going to get better because of that,'' Ferguson today told reporters.

''It's their first attempt at it really, this team, and that's why we are all encouraged.'' Ferguson admitted that repeating the kind of domestic dominance United enjoyed when winning eight titles in 11 seasons from 1993 onwards would be difficult to achieve.

He expects Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal to strengthen their squads over the summer but believes there is still more to come from his side, which has been re-built since their last championship win in 2003.

''I think this team will get better and the longer they stay together gives us a real chance,'' he added.

With Cristiano Ronaldo recently agreeing a new long-term contract at Old Trafford, Ferguson can continue to develop his team around English football's player-of-the-year and the likes of Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidic -- rated by Ferguson as the best central defender in the country.

AGEING MIDFIELDERS Ferguson also believes that ageing midfield players Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs -- who has nine championship medals in his collection -- can continue to operate at the highest level.

And the United manager has identified three potential new summer signings which are almost certain to include Bayern Munich's England international Owen Hargreaves.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov has also been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Ferguson expecting to receive further financial backing from owners the Glazer family.

''We have outlined a couple, maybe three targets, to them and I think they're aware of that and we will see how we get on with that,'' he said.

''There is competition for the best players as everyone knows and if there is competition it costs.

''We are trying to identify players as quietly as we can so we can do it as quickly and quietly as we can. It's not easy but we are trying that.'' REUTERS AKD RK2006