United need just 10 points from their final seven games of the season to secure a 20th championship crown, having led from the front for much of the campaign.

Ferdinand has spoken of his annoyance at the supposed tendency of bookmakers to overlook as his team as title favourites.

"Every year that we've won the league, the following season we've never been favourites to win the league," he told Red Wednesday.

"That's in most people's books or in the bookies' books, and that's always riled me.

"If you win the league, you should be the favourites next year because you've been the best team in the league - it's simple."

United have earned 77 points so far this season and could surpass the record of 95 points set by Chelsea under Jose Mourinho during the 2004/05 campaign

In a separate interview, Ferdinand believes doubts over United's capabilities going into 2012/13 only served to spur his team-mates on.

He told the BBC: "People don't want to see us win the league and we thrive off that. We love it."