Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed Arsenal as title contenders while insisting Chelsea are now Manchester United's greatest threat.

Wednesday's 3-1 win over Birmingham City pushed Carlo Ancelotti's side above Arsenal in second-place on goal difference as the Gunners once again fell short in their 3-3 draw at Tottenham.

And while the Blues and the Gunners are both six points behind United with five games to go, Ferguson views Chelsea as his number one threat to his side's bid for a record 19th league title.

"I said a few weeks ago that Chelsea would be our main challengers but I don't know if anyone was listening," the United boss was quoted as saying in The Sun.

"Now they are above Arsenal. Looking at them, Chelsea are far more experienced than Arsenal - strong team, strong experience.

Meanwhile, Ferguson admitted that the Gunners are a better footballing team - although he maintained it is the Blues he is more wary of.

"Arsenal are better footballers, but Chelsea are the better, stronger team. I recognise that both are six points behind us, both are our challengers.

"I have that slight preference for Chelsea because their fixture list is a wee bit easier.

"But they have to come to Old Trafford and that's not going to be easy for them.

"Looking behind you is not a bad thing to do with our experience.

"You have to recognise who is behind you. You can't be complacent.

"If we win against Everton we're down to only four games left, with a minimum of a six points lead. That's the way to look at it.

"You run out of games eventually."

United have the opportunity to stretch their lead to nine points when they host Everton in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.