Manchester United are back in the title-race driving seat

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United are back in the title-race driving seat despite last weekend's bitter defeat at Chelsea.Ferguson also brushed aside Chelsea boss Avram Grant's criticism of Alan Curbishley after the West Ham manager said it would be an injustice if United were not crowned champions.

The United manager insisted West Ham had proved tough opponents in the past - they have actually beaten Ferguson's side on the last three occasions - and would be again at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Ferguson said: "I don't know why he's suggesting there's going to be anything untoward. They should know better than anyone, Chelsea, about these situations.

"But we must be in the driving seat, if we both win two games we have the better goal difference.

"Hopefully we can win the match tomorrow which would go a long way to winning the league.

"Newcastle is not an easy place to go now for Chelsea, they are on the march.

"The important thing for us is concentrating on tomorrow's game. If both of us win both our games I will be very happy."

Ferguson feels the victory over Barcelona on Tuesday night to set up a Champions League final in Moscow against Chelsea, who overcame Liverpool 24 hours later, could prove the most important point of the season.

"We were all disappointed to lose to Chelsea last Saturday, it doesn't matter how you have lost," said the United manager.

"I think the most important thing is our result on Tuesday night, it gave us the lift at the right time.

"Now we can pick our strongest team for the next two games and have the squad to change it if we want to and hopefully we can get over the line."

He added: "I couldn't call the Chelsea v Liverpool game but it doesn't matter who it is. We are in the final, we are looking forward to it and it should be a good final."

Wayne Rooney could be on the bench against West Ham but defender Nemanja Vidic is definitely out.

The England striker injured his hip against Chelsea last weekend and missed the Barcelona game, but Patrice Evra is available despite being carried off on Tuesday after being kicked in the face.

Ferguson said: "Vidic is not fit for tomorrow as with concussion you are out for 10 days but he should be fit for next Sunday.

"Rooney has given himself a chance but I don't know if he will start, maybe he will be on the bench.

"There has been a lot of improvement in the lad and the bruising on his hip has broken up, but we will still have to see whether he can make tomorrow.

"We have got a cup final of major importance and we want to make sure he is available for that, so we are not rushing him. We need to make sure he is 100%."

Ferguson also believes the atmosphere at Old Trafford tomorrow could provide the thrust to push United towards the finishing line.

He added: "Maybe I don't even need to give a team talk, I'll just let the fans do that.

"They were fantastic on Tuesday night, I don't think there has been an atmosphere in the ground like that in my time here."