By Joe Drabble Last updated: 25th March 2008
Ferguson: Chelsea threat
As I've said all along, the team who shows real consistency between now and the end of the season will win the league.
Sir Alex Ferguson
Quotes of the week
Sir Alex Ferguson believes the greatest threat to his side's hopes of recording back-to-back Premier League titles is the charge of Avram Grant's Chelsea.
The Blues' crucial 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Sunday extended their unbeaten run to 14-league games as they continue to push United all the way in the race for the title.
With five points now separating Ferguson's men and Chelsea, the United boss believes the Stamford Bridge clash between the two side's on 26th April could prove decisive.
"I think Chelsea hold the key," Ferguson said. "We've still got to go to Stamford Bridge where they've got a formidable home record.
"We have established a good lead but we're not taking anything for granted, we have to carry on playing the way we have been.
"As I've said all along, the team who shows real consistency between now and the end of the season will win the league."
The United side which beat Liverpool 3-0 in the first half of Grand Slam Sunday included just three players over the age of 30 - Edwin van der Sar, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
Ferguson admitted he is delighted with how his young side have blossomed this season as they continue their challenge for silverware both domestically and in Europe.
"We've developed as a team this season and I think you saw that maturity reach its peak with our win over Liverpool," he said.
"We've retained the consistency of last season, we're challenging for the league again and we're in the quarter-finals of the European Cup."

A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
Pictures from the unveiling of Real Madrid's reported £56 million signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pictures from the Under 21 championship semi-final between England and Sweden in Gothenburg.
Pictures from England's draw with Germany in the last Group B game of the Under 21 Championships.
A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs West Ham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Birmingham vs Portsmouth |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| 19:45 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Tottenham |
| 19:45 | Sunderland vs Chelsea |
| 19:45 | Wigan vs Wolverhampton |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Liverpool vs Stoke |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Everton |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 West Brom | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Bolton | |
| Sunderland 2 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Fulham 0 - 2 Everton | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Liverpool 3 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Monday 18th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 3 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Sunday 17th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| West Brom 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Bolton 1 - 1 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 0 Wigan | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Tottenham 2 - 1 Man City | |
| Everton 3 - 1 West Ham | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Birmingham City | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Bolton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Burnley | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Chelsea | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Everton | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Fulham | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Hull City | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Liverpool | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Portsmouth | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Stoke City | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | West Ham United | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Wigan Athletic | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
Skysports.com takes a look at striker Michael Owen's career to date following his Man United switch.
Paul Merson is adamant: Michael Owen will score goals for fun now he's joned Manchester United.
Michael Owen has declared his ambition to break back into the England squad following his move to Manchester United.
Wolves have made their sixth signing of the summer after bringing in Marseille defender Ronald Zubar.
Cristiano Ronaldo says that if Real were willing to pay £80million for his signature then it is a 'fair' price.
Felipe Melo's agent has stressed that the midfielder has not opened talks with another club.
Fiorentina are open to the sale of Felipe Melo to Arsenal with Emmanuel Eboue involved in the deal.
Comments (3)
Ikram Don (Manchester United fan) says...
I think that Man utd have what it takes to win the premier league this year and maybe the champions league as well if they carry on playing the way they have been. The win over liverpool on Grand slam sunday proved crucial for manchester united to go to the top of the table. As for arsenal i think it will be very difficult for them to win the premiership because they have alot of away matches still to play. Although Manchester united still have to play Arsenal on the 13th April and then Chelsea on the 26th they have to win at least one of them to win the premiership. And liverpool is most definietely out.
Posted 15:01 25th March 2008
Anthony Rowe (Manchester United fan) says...
I think that Arsenal's slide has shown everybody how quickly the title race can turn around. United will be aware of that and with the squad strength we have we should be able to keep going but it's going to be close. If the title is won before the last game I'll be impressed
Posted 13:44 25th March 2008
Shafie Khan (Manchester United fan) says...
Even im a Manchester united fan...i believe arsenal and chelsea still got the chance to win the title...because 7 more games to go and anything can happen cause this is football....now after watching the sunday showdown between the top four..whoever now play their game with real consistency will go on to win the title..but for me manchester united will retain their title because this season they shown us what real champions are..they play like real champions this season by playing beautiful football..and also their players are hungry for success...this year will be the colour of red again...so all united fans out there keep on cheering ur team till the end...GLORY GLORY MANUNITED!!!
Posted 12:00 25th March 2008