The Scot, who likes to chew away his touchline jitters, knows that victory in front of their own fans will guarantee a fifth title in seven years.Anything less, and Arsenal will be ready to pounce.

Arsene Wenger's side, who trail united by a point going in to the final game, host Aston Villa at Highbury hoping for a win and a united slip-up to retain their title.

In the unlikely scenario that United lose and Arsenal draw, the Londoners would take the title on goal difference if united lost by two clear goals.Former Aberdeen boss Ferguson's four titles since 1993 have been clinched by the stumbles of their rivals or at other grounds, but now on Sunday his team have the chance to win the championship at Old Trafford.

``I think the thing that I wanted mostwhen I came down (to England) was that I had to win the title,'' said the Scot, who is hoping to complete the first leg of a unique Premiership-FA Cup-European Cup treble.

``That was the Albatross around my neck and the second thing was to clinch it at Old Trafford.'' Ferguson is keen to downplay his team's chances, despite Tottenham having won only once in their last 20 league visits to Old Trafford.

An ironic twist is waiting to happen at Old Trafford, where not for the first time a Frenchman could take centre stage. Not Eric Cantona, the inspiration behind United's four most recent title wins, but Tottenham's David Ginola, who celebrated his double footballer of the year award this week by signing a new three-year contract with Spurs.

The twinkle-toed wingman will be the Man United's players and fans fear most and the situation, with spurs having nothing to lose, will suit the Frenchman to a tee.

Ferguson, whose team are unbeaten in 30 games, is hopeful Dutch defender Jaap Stam will shrug off theachilles trouble that forced him off at half-time in the midweek draw at Blackburn.

Midfield inspiration Roy Keane is rated doubtful with an ankle knock but don't be surprised to see him on the bench and called into action if Yorke, Cole, Giggs and company fail to assert their authority over Spurs. A few months ago an Arsenal-Villa fixture on the final day had the look of a title decider itself with villa having dominated the first half of the Premiership season.

But since then John Gregory's side have fallen away, though they could do with the points to cement fifth place and a spot in the Inter to to Cup over the summer.

Arsenal are still hurting from Tuesday's 1-0 loss at leeds -- their first in the league since December -- which has probably cost them their title.

Wenger will be missing defender Nigel Winterburn whose horrific injury proved so costly at Elland Road.

Not only was he stretchered off barely conscious towards the end of the match after Alfie Haaland's knee pulped his nose, but hisreplacement, Argentine Nelson Vivas, then carelessly allowed Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to head Leeds late winner.

Central defender Martin Keown should shake off his leg gash to start.Wenger has already accepted he will probably have to settle for second best this time around after last season's League and FA Cup double. ``I am proud of what we have achieved this season and we will be there again,''said the Frenchman, whose side haven't lost at Highbury for 28 league matches.

One other issue remains to be resolved in the premiership, with Charlton Athletic and Southampton battling to avoid disappearing down the Premiership plughole along with already relegated Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest.

Southampton will stay up if they beat in-form Everton at the dell, but anything less will give hope to Charlton, two points behind but with a vastly superior goal difference, if they can beat Sheffield Wednesday at the valley.