Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted to keep another cleansheet after their 3-0 win over Fulham.

Ferguson says keeping a settled back four together, after the injury problems that have been endured by Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Nemanja Vidic, could be key to their success, as well as their superior goal difference.

"I keep praying I can keep that back four together," he said. "With the experience they've got and Edwin van der Sar's experience, it would give us a massive chance. The key for us will be keeping them fit.

"We're getting a few injuries and so are Chelsea and Arsenal. But if we can now keep the back four together that would be good. 'You also have to think about goal difference. We're four goals ahead of Chelsea. I wish it was 14 but it's something that's to our advantage."