Sir Alex Ferguson believes the Premier League title race looks to be between his Manchester United side and rivals Arsenal.
In an interview on the League Managers Association website ahead of the clash between the two teams on Saturday, Ferguson said: "At the moment I think it's looking between Arsenal and ourselves at the top but you know football changes.
"When you come to January and it really does start, then you expect to see Liverpool and Chelsea."
The United boss said he has built a squad capable of retaining the Premier League title.
"We have had some incredible injury situations, but over the last few years we've been like that at early season with a lot of injuries," said Ferguson.
"I hope and pray that by the time we come to December - because the second half of the season is where it really begins - we have got a good strong squad together.
"I feel that once we get that strong squad together we are capable of going and winning the league again."
Ferguson said the start of the season can put teams like Tottenham in a "false position" because of the disruption caused by international call-ups.
"Once the internationals get out of the road, then I think you'll find that the Premier League will settle down, we'll get a true perspective of who is going to be really challenging and you will get some consistent results," he said.
"At the moment there have been some surprise results."
Ferguson also paid tribute to Carlos Tevez, who despite struggling to learn English is letting "the football language talk".
Tevez is being given private tuition at home to improve his English and Ferguson said he is working hard.
But the United boss could not hide his delight at securing the services of the man who he believes single-handedly kept West Ham in the Premier League last season.
"What I have noticed about the boy here, since he has come to us, is that when he loses the ball he wants it back which is a great attribute to have as a striker really, not every striker thinks that way. So he's got a lot of great things about him and most importantly that great enthusiasm to play."
