Ferguson's league leaders will be crowned champions for the first time since 2003 if Chelsea fail to win at Arsenal on Sunday.

United moved eight points clear of second-placed Chelsea with a 1-0 win at Manchester City on Saturday and now Gunners boss Wenger, who has been involved in a series of spats with Ferguson, is in a position to send the title to Old Trafford.

Ferguson, who insists he would rather play golf than watch the Emirates Stadium clash, knows that even if Chelsea do win on Sunday, United can clinch the league with a draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday - a prospect he would relish.

"We've got a great chance now obviously and I'm hopeful Arsenal will do us a favour," he said. "A draw would be fine. Hopefully we can get the result we want.

"I won't watch the match. I was supposed to go to Spain but that might be cancelled so if it's a good day I'll go for a game of golf.

"But if we have to go to Chelsea and do it, I will look forward to it."

Ferguson saluted his players' courage as they produced the perfect response to their Champions League exit against AC Milan in midweek.

"What you saw today was human courage," he said. "Coming back from Wednesday night and having to get through the travel and lack of rest, the players have shown fantastic courage.

"City never actually tried to beat us. They were happy at 1-0, but towards the end they got the penalty kick. We got through it. It wasn't a great performance but derby games are like that."