However that scenario was dependent on claiming all three points at Blackburn were they eventually needed a late equaliser from Carlo Tevez in a 1-1 draw.

United are now just three points clear of rivals Chelsea but with a vastly superior goal difference.

Blackburn deserved their half time advantage but had to soak up a lot of second half pressure before finally cracking with two minutes remaining.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson felt his side should have won with the amount of chances they carved out, but still praised his players for showing the right attitude after going a goal behind.

"This result does make the Chelsea game more important, before today I said that if we won three of our four remaining games we would win, but now it will come down to whoever wins at Stamford Bridge," revealed the Scot.

"Well we deserved three points today but we've rescued a point late on again from Carlos Tevez.

"In the second half we were brilliant, we showed the kind of tenacity and passing of champions.

"I think we could have had three penalties but we are not getting the breaks recently, such as like in the FA Cup.

"But we can't go on about it, we should have won the game anyway despite the fact Brad Friedel had an outstanding game we dominated and should have won.

"Now it comes down to the Chelsea game, but of course we have the Barcelona game on Wednesday and then we will have to rest for the Chelsea game, but we will cope with it."