Chelsea have only themselves to blame for slump - Ferguson

The Manchester United manager believes the Premier League champions left themselves vulnerable after selling Ricardo Carvalho and Deco, as well as releasing Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti, and bringing in only two new signings, Ramires and Yossi Benayoun.

United, who have set a club record of being unbeaten in their first 16 league matches, have taken advantage of Chelsea's run of only one win in their past seven games to move three points clear of Carlo Ancelotti's team at the top of the table, with a game in hand, going into Sunday's meeting at Stamford Bridge.