Just champion! The title is ours - we won't slip up, roars Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the imminent arrival of a record 19th league title at Old Trafford after Manchester United’s victory over closest challengers Chelsea.

United need a point from their last two games to clinch the title and edge ahead of Liverpool’s 18 championships.

Manager Ferguson vowed that his team would not make any mistakes. He said: ‘We will get the point we need. There is no doubt about it.’

Now read Matt Lawton's match report: Manchester United 2 Chelsea 1: Sir Alex laps it up

Off and running: Javier Hernandez opens the scoring for Manchester United against Chelsea

Wayne Rooney was involved in one moment of controversy when he appeared to aim two fingers at Chelsea fans in the first half. However, it was difficult to tell if that was indeed his intention. Rooney, who is no stranger to controversy and who picked up a two-game ban for swearing into a camera at West Ham only last month, was not available for comment.

Controversy: Wayne Rooney appears to make a v-sign

Ferguson was understandably delighted with his side, adding: ‘It’s fantastic being the most successful team in the country in terms of championship victories.

‘As soon as we got that first one in 1992 the door opened to us. It’s an incredible achievement. I would not have believed this all those years ago. But we improved and improved.’

United were given the perfect start when Mexican Javier Hernandez scored after 36 seconds. Captain Nemanja Vidic added a second before a disappointing Chelsea team pulled a goal back through Frank Lampard to make United sweat on victory.

‘We do it all the time,’ said Ferguson. ‘We could have scored six in the second half but we didn’t. All those poor souls in the stand were sitting there having heart attacks and biting their nails. I was one of them.

‘But I thought we did really well on the whole. We kept going forward and creating chances and I thought the players were magnificent.

‘We will give Blackburn and Blackpool 100 per cent respect. They are great clubs and are our neighbours and we don’t want to see either of them go down. But we have to do our job.’

Asked if his team could falter in sight of the line like the racehorse Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National, Ferguson added: ‘Don’t mention Devon Loch. My dad backed that horse!’

For Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti, it was a dispiriting afternoon. Ferguson gave the Italian backing in his programme notes, writing: ‘He doesn’t deserve to be questioned or his future queried the way it has been this season.’

Nevertheless, Ancelotti faces a crucial meeting with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich at the end of the season.

Clincher: Nemanja Vidic (right) celebrates scoring United's second goal

He said: ‘You know my position. I would like to stay but it’s the decision of the club. I don’t know if this game reflects badly on me. They must take into consideration all the season. I’m honest to say we didn’t do our best this season. It can happen. Last year was fantastic. This year was a little bit different.

‘The players have done well and I want to thank them. For two months we were the best team in the Premier League. But we didn’t do our best today.’