United stars refusing to concede defeat in race for Premier title

The Portugal international's 28th-minute strike handed United a 1-0 victory at Sunderland on Sunday and kept them a point behind Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea.

However, with just one game to go, the odds are heavily stacked against the champions.

"We are still a team, we are together and we will fight until the last chance," said Nani.

"We still have a chance. You never know what is going to happen in football. Sometimes in life, it is very difficult, but we have to win our game."

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar too knows only a shock result for Wigan will send the trophy to Old Trafford, but is confident United will do their job and then keep their fingers crossed.

He said: "We need a big favour from Wigan. It would have been nice if we had been a point ahead.

"We are not in charge – that is difficult – but we have to see what we can do this week on the training ground.

"Hopefully we have a nice game for our supporters on Sunday. We are still hanging in there."

United completed their 37th game of the league campaign having conceded just 28 goals, the best record in the division, and the Dutchman, who kept his 13th clean sheet of the season at the Stadium of Light, is hoping that can provide the foundation for another title challenge.

Van der Sar said: "That is very good. We had it last year also. We didn't concede many goals. We had a great run of clean sheets.

"It has been a bit back and forth this season with midfielders in defence and right-backs at left-back or whatever, and a couple of goalkeeping changes."