Despite the early season turmoil at Stamford Bridge following the departure of Jose Mourinho, Chelsea have emerged as United's last competitor for the Premier League title.

Victory for the Red Devils tomorrow would seal a 10th Premier League title but Sir Alex Ferguson's squad are also aware defeat would allow the Londoners to draw level on points with two games to go.

And, while Scholes is still confident United will come out on top, he confirmed the impression at Old Trafford was that Chelsea might fall out of the running after Mourinho left.

"They have surprised me," Scholes told MUTV..

"Their manager has had a lot of stick but when you look at his record it is fantastic. They have only lost two games since he took over and one of those was against us.

"Maybe they have had a couple of results they shouldn't have but that happens during a season. We thought they might fade away but they haven't done. They have been right up there challenging."

While a draw would be perfectly acceptable to United and effectively mark the end of Chelsea's challenge and even a defeat would not be disastrous providing Ferguson's players overcame West Ham and Wigan in their final two games, the challenge is to win and wrap the championship up before Barcelona head to Old Trafford on Tuesday.

With the Champions League semi-final delicately poised, it would be a major confidence boost for United to seal their domestic fate, as well as clearing the path for a smooth run-up to Moscow for the final should Barca be overcome.

"If we could get the league out of the way before the Barcelona tie that would be the perfect scenario for us," said Scholes.

"We will approach it like we do every game, by trying to win.

"We know we are capable of doing it and it would be amazing to win the league down there."

Scholes admits United's 18-goal advantage is like an extra point, a factor which could yet prove pivotal.

It seems amazing to think now but the Old Trafford outfit amassed just nine goals in their first 11 games in all competitions.

"At the start of the season we were really struggling for goals, so to get where we are is phenomenal because the goal difference is like an extra point now."

Whether United win the title this weekend or not, the mere fact they have the chance is cause for celebration as far as Scholes is concerned.

After all, two seasons ago United were playing for second, condemned to make a humiliating guard of honour as Chelsea celebrated their second championship under Mourinho.

"There is pressure but I would much rather be in this situation than the one we were in a couple of years ago when all we were doing was playing to see how high we could finish in the table," said Scholes.

"That was not nice, so to be up there challenging for two massive trophies is great. Hopefully, we will get them at the end."