Patrice Evra says United "must beat Chelsea" in order to win the Barclays Premier League title following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates stadium.
Aaron Ramsey's second-half strike was enough to seal victory for the Gunners and leave United just three points ahead of the Blues at the top of the table with as many games remaining.
And with Carlo Ancelotti's side visiting Old Trafford next Sunday, the stage is set for an epic title-deciding encounter at the Theatre of Dreams.
Evra, who is hoping to collect his fourth Premier League winners' medal later this season, is confident of success.
The Frenchman told MUTV: "We have our destiny in our hands. We have a massive game against Chelsea. If we want to win the title then we have to beat Chelsea – it's as simple as that. If we don't beat them then we'll be in trouble.
"We just need to play the Man United way. I am not worried because we know we didn't do the things we normally do against Arsenal. We have three games left and need to win every game. Every game is a final."
Defeat at the Emirates brings an end to a run of seven matches unbeaten against the Gunners, a sequence that included two victories in North London - making Sunday's result all the more frustrating for Evra.
"We didn't feel in trouble. We knew how Arsenal would play," he added. "They kept possession of the ball but never looked dangerous.
"Normally when we visit the Emirates we play with speed, power and aggression, and create more chances than we did on Sunday. That is why I am very disappointed."
The Reds had two second-half penalty appeals turned down by referee Chris Foy - once when Michael Owen was felled inside the area and another when Evra himself collided with Theo Walcott. Although the Reds' left-back was keen not to question the officials.
"There were some difficult decisions but I don't want to talk about the referee, the problem was Man United, not the referee," he admitted. "It is easy to find some excuse. We did not play the Man United way and when we don't play the Man United way, we don't deserve anything."
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