United midfielder Scholes will return to action against Blackburn on Saturday after three weeks on the sidelines while he served a suspension for his red card at Liverpool.

Scholes, in self-imposed exile from England duty, was given an additional break by the recent international fixtures and Ferguson expects the 32-year-old to make up for lost time as the Premiership leaders resume their bid to win the title for the first time since 2003.

Only the magnificent form of United's imperious winger Cristano Ronaldo have overshadowed Scholes' impressive contribution this season and he is certain to play a major role in his side's push for a triple trophy haul.

As well as trying to maintain their six-point advantage over Chelsea, the Premiership leaders also face a Champions League quarterfinal against Roma and an FA Cup semifinal against Watford next month, so Scholes's rest was perfectly timed.

Ferguson said: "Paul regards family life as very important. He knows what the travelling with the international team is like and, coming to his age, I think he felt it was time to give more time to his family. That is the reason he gave up international football.

"His form this season has been absolutely fantastic and now we are getting him back fresh after a little break."

A United victory over Rovers would pile the pressure back on Chelsea, who travel to struggling Watford in Saturday's late game knowing they can't afford a single slip in their final eight matches.

But Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho just wants his players to focus on their own game and not worry about United.

"I keep saying to the players that we have to do our job," Mourinho said. "The only three points of Manchester United that we can control is the game we have against them.

"After that we don't have a direct relation with them. We have to do our job and win every game. Hopefully we can then play against them when we have chances."

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant believes victory against Arsenal would be enough to ensure his side finish third in the Premiership.

Rafa Benitez's team will kick-off against Arsenal at Anfield a point behind the third-placed Londoners, who have a game in hand, but Pennant is convinced the match will effectively decide who ends up directly behind United and Chelsea.

Pennant wants to finish above Arsenal to gain a measure of revenge for the FA and League Cup defeats, as well as a 3-0 league beating, that Arsene Wenger's side inflicted on the Reds earlier this season.

"Whoever wins this game will finish third," he told Liverpool's website. "For that reason this is one of our biggest games of the season.

"They have beaten us a few times this season so it's time for us to get a victory."

History could be made at Craven Cottage, where Portsmouth goalkeeper David James will try to get the one cleansheet he needs to break David Seaman's Premiership record of 140 shutouts.

Charlton's hopes of avoiding relegation will get a massive boost if they can beat fellow strugglers Wigan at The Valley. Alan Pardew's third-bottom side have shown signs of mounting a sustained fight for survival and a win would close the gap on Wigan to three points.