Two more wins, and United will be champions

His team had to come from behind at Old Trafford and were outplayed for long periods by Arsene Wenger's men. Owen Hargreaves struck the winner with a sublime free-kick, but Ferguson admitted: 'When Arsenal scored it forced my hand and we were fantastic after that. Wayne Rooney could have had a hat-trick. But Arsenal had fantastic moments too. It was just an incredible game.'

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Defeat for Arsenal was a crushing blow and means the season is as good as over for Wenger's team, who will have gone three campaigns without a trophy.

For United to take the crown, they must win at Blackburn on Saturday and then at Chelsea a week later. It could be even easier if second-placed Chelsea slip up against Wigan on Monday or Everton on Thursday.

Ferguson and his team will surely believe they can do it after this test of their character. 'It was traumatic today,' he said.

'The quality of the game was outstanding, absolutely brilliant. Arsenal were the better team at times and very unlucky. But I could not ask for more from that team. If we win our next two games, we'll be champions. It is as simple as that. We know what we have to do.'

After dominating the first half, Arsenal surged ahead early in the second period when Emmanuel Adebayor punished hesitancy from Rio Ferdinand, although he seemed to bundle the ball in with the use of an arm, and for a while his goal seemed set to blow the title race wide open.

But Arsenal captain William Gallas needlessly conceded a penalty that Ronaldo scored after being ordered to retake it and then Hargreaves curled his second United goal over the wall with 17 minutes left.

Ferguson added: 'There was some pressure on that penalty, wasn't there? No goalkeeper in the world would have saved it. It was right inside the post.'

Wenger took issue with referee Howard Webb's decision to award United the crucial free-kick but was sanguine in defeat. The Frenchman received words of encouragement and a consoling arm from Ferguson at the full-time whistle, a rare moment of warmth between the two men.

Wenger said: 'I won't say what he said. It's private. I am very proud. We showed quality and spirit today. What can we do?

'We understand what has happened in the latter stages of the season and we accept it. We had plenty of chances and we were unlucky not to win. But we are getting used to this now. I think this team is good enough. We've just had a blip.

'The target now is to watch the team develop. We feel we have the quality. We are young and we will get better.'

GAMES TO PLAY

Apr 19 - Blackburn (a)

Apr 26 - Chelsea (a)

May 3 - West Ham (h)

May 11 - Wigan (a)