With three games remaining United have 73 points to Chelsea's 70 and both teams have a goal difference of +38.
Arsenal, still with a slim title chance, have 67 points while Manchester City, with a game in hand, occupy the final Champions League qualifying slot on 62.
United's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal last week, combined with Chelsea's last-gasp 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, ensures that Sunday's Old Trafford clash will be a showdown worthy of its "Super Sunday" TV billing.
"The problem for us last year was emotional tiredness," the United manager told Sky Sports after Wednesday's 4-1 win over Schalke 04 booked a Champions League final showdown with Barcelona at Wembley later this month.
"This time we are fresh, we are in the final at Wembley and we are going to go for it on Sunday." United have been formidable at home in the league, dropping only two points at Old Trafford all season.
"Every time they win the title they win it at Old Trafford," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. "We are comparable away from home but they get the points at home."
Ferguson's vast experience at dealing with a welter of big games at the end of the season gave him the confidence to make nine changes from the team beaten by Arsenal for the game against Schalke.
However, Chelsea's 2-1 home victory over the leaders began the process of chipping away at the deficit and now they know another win would offer a glorious chance of retaining their title and completing one of the most unlikely comebacks for many a year.
Spurs's poor recent run has seen them slip to sixth place on 55 points. Liverpool are above them on goal difference having played a game more and will bid to continue their impressi
