Don't crown us champions yet warns Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson insists it is too soon to crown Manchester United as Premier League champions despite watching his side move five points clear of Liverpool with a 3-0 victory over Fulham on Wednesday.

The league leaders, who can open up an eight-point lead with victory over Blackburn tomorrow prior to Liverpool's Anfield clash with Manchester City on Sunday, cruised past Fulham thanks to goals from Paul Scholes, Dimitar Berbatov and fit-again Wayne Rooney.

The win was United's ninth on the bounce in the league and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar racked up his 14th consecutive Premier League clean sheet, taking his shut-out run to 1,302 minutes.

But United boss Ferguson admitted that there are still possible pitfalls on the road to an 18th league title between now and May.

He said: "You can never be dead sure, but it's safe to say that Chelsea have an uphill fight now to overcome us. Things can happen, though. We were 12 points clear of Arsenal one season, 1997-98, and we lost the league.

"We had a lot of injuries that year, but hopefully, with the squad we have now, we can cope with injuries. That's been the change around at the club, we have such a big squad that we can cope with injuries.

"This was our game in hand, though, so it was important and I think the players applied themselves the right way. They worked hard because they had to work hard for the result and I'm pleased with them.

"Paul Scholes was fantastic and some of his switches of play were absolutely devastating. He and Ryan Giggs are a great example to young players in the sense of the way that they live their lives, but they have kept their ambition which is important. We are so delighted and proud to have them here."

Rooney's goal, three minutes after replacing Berbatov in the second half, was an added bonus for the England player, who had been sidelined since early January with a hamstring injury.

And Ferguson admits that he will not take chances on the fitness of any of his players between now and the end of the season.

He said: "Wayne scored with his first touch. It was a nice ball and he came in late, which he has done many times, but he is back now and I'm pleased. Hopefully he will stay fit now.

"He is 100 per cent, there is no question about that. We are at the stage now where we won't take risks with any players."