Carlo Ancelotti’s side have closed the gap since March, when they were 15 points behind table toppers United, and would go top with a superior goal difference if they were to beat United at the weekend.
However, Ferguson has hailed his team’s home form and feels that three points against the reigning champions will all but secure the title with just two further games remaining and six points separating the sides.
Ferguson told reporters on Friday: "If we win, I think we should win the league. Our home record is fantastic, probably the best in Europe, and it has to be on Sunday."
The Red Devils are unbeaten at home since last April, but the former Aberdeen man recognises the drive that his side’s opponents showed with their 2-1 comeback win at Stamford Bridge in March over United, pointing to that win as the turning point in their season.
"The result against us was the change for them," he said.
"That gave them that lift from being out of the game to winning it. And, of course, us losing to Arsenal on Sunday is going to open the door for them.
"It's a hard league to win, we know because we've been involved in championship races for almost 19 years."
After rotating his squad in the 4-1 win over Schalke in the midweek Champions League semi-final, Ferguson is expected to recall the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Javier Hernandez, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand for Sunday’s clash.
"Last Sunday's defeat [at Arsenal] has certainly brought us an awareness of how important this week's game is," he commented.
"It is one of the reasons why I picked the team I did on Wednesday. I wanted to give us a real chance.
"We will have a fresh team on Sunday and that makes a difference at this time of the season."
Meanwhile, on the back of a 2-1 win against Tottenham, Chelsea skipper John Terry insists there is nothing stopping the Blues repeating their success of last season.
"We showed when we went to Old Trafford and won last year, which was the decisive game, that we could do it," he stated.
"There is no reason why we cannot do it again.
"Each season you know you are going to hit a bad spell, and it is about how quickly you can get out of it. We got out of it very quickly last year, and have taken a little longer this time - but once again we are right back in the frame.
"There is nothing I want more than to bring back that trophy."
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