Chelsea are out of the title race, says Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed Chelsea's dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari has "played into the hands" of Manchester United and rendered the title race a two-way fight between his reigning champions and Liverpool.

The United manager delivered a brutal assessment of Roman Abramovich's decision to sack the World Cup-winning coach seven months into his Stamford Bridge tenure. The dismissal, he claimed, not only illustrated the short-term mentality that exists at Chelsea but increased United's chances of landing a third ­successive league title.

Ferguson, writing in the match programme, said: "I must say I was shocked that Chelsea should part so soon with a manager of such great experience and proven success as 'Phil' Scolari. Their haste is a reflection of the sad way the game is going, with everyone from owners, the board members, the supporters and the media demanding instant success and showing absolutely no patience in the pursuit of their ambition.

"Looking at the Chelsea situation from United's point of view, I think they have played into our hands and that the title race now is going to be between ourselves and Liverpool. However, I shall be keeping a wary eye on Aston Villa, who seem to have picked up the baton from Arsenal."

United moved five points clear of second-placed Liverpool with victory over Fulham last night and 10 points clear of Guus Hiddink's new charges in fourth. Afterwards Ferguson appeared to soften his stance on Chelsea's title prospects, though he also claimed the strength in depth of the United squad made a collapse at Old Trafford highly unlikely.

"You can never be dead sure but it is fair to say Chelsea have an uphill fight now," the United manager said. "Things can happen. I remember being 12 points clear of Arsenal in 1998 and losing the league after we had suffered a lot of injuries. But we have got the squad to cope with injuries like that now."