Fergie - Blues Hold The Key

Sir Alex Ferguson believes the greatest threat to Manchester United'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 Sunday's clash 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."