United must win next two to stay in title race - Scholes

Manchester United have no chance of winning the Premier League this season if they fail to win their next two games against Blackburn Rovers and Fulham, says midfielder Paul Scholes.

Just over a month into the new season, United are already seven points behind leaders and champions Chelsea, albeit with a game in hand. Last term, United finished 18 points adrift.

"If we can't beat Blackburn and Fulham we have no hope of winning the league," Scholes told MUTV.

"It was against the lower teams that we dropped so many stupid points last season and why we fell so far behind. If we are to have any hopes this year we cannot afford to do that."

Scholes is not dismayed by Chelsea's flying start to the season - in which Jose Mourinho's side have scored 12 goals and conceded none to take maximum points from their first six matches.

"Apart from Arsenal, Chelsea have not played many of the top teams while we have had three or four really tough games," said the former England midfielder.

"We have dropped four points but I am sure Chelsea will drop points as well, we just can't afford to drop many more."

Chelsea will be strongly tipped to beat a struggling Aston Villa side tomorrow but face a much trickier encounter on October 2 away to European champions Liverpool.

That domestic game on Merseyside comes four days after Chelsea play Liverpool at Anfield in the group stage of the Champions League.