Sir Alex Ferguson admits defeat to Chelsea could spell trouble on Sunday

Sir Alex Ferguson: Admits his United team cannot afford any more key defeats

Sir Alex Ferguson is determined not to allow Chelsea to open up a gap on his Manchester United team.

United take on the Premier League leaders at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and after already losing to Tottenham and Everton this season Ferguson is keen to keep up the pressure on one of the three teams he thinks can win the title.

"We don't want a gap to open," said Ferguson. "This could be a league where you will suffer if you lose bad ones.

"We couldn't afford to lose the Tottenham one the way we did. If we get any more of that we will be in trouble. There are lot of big games still to come of course and I think it will be close.

"But Chelsea, City and ourselves are creating that little gap from the rest and whilst I cannot be dead certain, I would be surprised if one of us didn't win it. Chelsea are undefeated, which gives you an idea of the level of consistency they have produced."

With Chelsea and City both losing their UEFA Champions League matches in midweek it has been suggested that being able to focus on the Premier League could be a significant advantage in the spring.

But Ferguson believes fighting on all fronts is always the best way to be successful.

"It is never a good thing to lose a game of football," he added. "If you are knocked out of the Champions League it would not be a good thing. If you were knocked out of Europe completely it would be even worse.

"We are better when we are playing in all the competitions. I much prefer that."