HOPE AND PRAY

"Everyone is hoping Chelsea drop points - ourselves, Arsenal and Liverpool," said Ferguson. "We are all in the same boat.

"Really, we have to do our own job first. We are now level on games with Chelsea but nine points behind.

"It is a long way but the only thing we can do is try to get some consistent form into our own game and see where it takes us.

"If Chelsea do slip up, and anything is possible, we want to be the team that is next to them. If we are, we have a chance."

"It has been a bad week for Manchester United," he continued.

"The way to get over situations like these is to grit your teeth, stay together, persevere and stick to your principles.

"In the context of the last seven days, this victory could not have come at a better time."