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 his surprise 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 his surprise to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 10:30 | Malaysia vs Man Utd |
| Monday 20th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 14:00 | Indonesia All Stars vs Man Utd |
| Friday 24th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 12:00 | FC Seoul vs Man Utd |
| Sunday 26th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 13:00 | Hangzhou Greentown vs Man Utd |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Boca Juniors |
| Wednesday 5th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs Valencia |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Man City |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Sunderland |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 27th May | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Barcelona 2 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 13th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 10th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Man City | |
| Tuesday 5th May | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 3 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 29th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 5 - 2 Tottenham | |
| Wednesday 22nd April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Sunday 19th April | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Everton | |
| Wednesday 15th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| FC Porto 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Tuesday 7th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 2 FC Porto | |
| Sunday 5th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 3 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 2 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 4 Liverpool | |
| Wednesday 11th March | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Inter Milan | |
| Saturday 7th March | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Fulham 0 - 4 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Liverpool | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Portsmouth | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Stoke City | 0 | 0 |
Paul Merson is adamant: Michael Owen will score goals for fun now he's joned Manchester United.
Skysports.com assesses Michael Owen's possible free transfer to Manchester United.
Manchester United's 2-0 win over Birmingham in 2002. Can you name the mystery starting XI?
Everton's Yakubu Aiyegbeni is backing Michael Owen to be a successful signing for Manchester United.
Michael Owen is eager to put his "poor spell" at Newcastle behind him by scoring goals and lifting silverware at his new club Man United.
Manchester United have confirmed the shock capture of Michael Owen, with the striker signing a two-year contract at Old Trafford.
Joe Kinnear has backed Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to get the best out of Michael Owen.
Michael Owen has arrived at Manchester United's Carrington training ground to undergo a full medical.
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