We won't crack now, vows Fergie as he closes in on Hargreaves

Sir Alex Ferguson last night warned Chelsea that his Manchester United team will not lose their nerve after a 2-0 win over Sheffield United opened a six-point gap at the top of the Premiership.

Goals from Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney earned United victory at Old Trafford despite Gabriel

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Heinze escaping a penalty and a red card when he brought down the visitors' Luton Shelton in the box.

There was also encouraging news for Ferguson when it emerged Bayern Munich are ready to agree a deal for Owen Hargreaves. Ferguson met Bayern officials last week when he was in Germany for the club's Champions League semi-final and returned to report that the move is now a relative formality.

Bayern have told Ferguson they will do the transfer as soon as the season is over, as long as United meet their asking price of £18million.

Ferguson suffered another injury blow last night when Patrice Evra limped off and he was lucky not to lose Cristiano Ronaldo and Heinze to red cards.

Ronaldo appeared to push his hand into the face of Sheffield United defender Chris Morgan, while Heinze was not penalised by referee Rob Styles for hacking down Shelton.

Chelsea need to win at West Ham tonight to get back in touch with United, and Ferguson said: "It's another game out of the way and we are still in a great position.

"No matter what team I play, they go out there and are up for it. The team spirit is great and all credit to them for that. I have seen the penalty incident again but am told it could have been penalty. I think we deserve some luck, given the ones we could have had this season."

Warnock, who saw Styles award Liverpool a controversial penalty at Bramall Lane on the opening day of the season, said: "They have to give it and then upset Alex — and I know people don't like upsetting Sir Alex."