Normally, United establish a major advantage in that column, which Ferguson stresses is worth an extra point, playing a psychological role as the campaign draws to its conclusion.

But this time round United find themselves trying to chase Chelsea, who have recorded a succession of decisive away wins, giving their goals tally a major boost.

United finally started to make inroads thanks to their five-goal hammering of Stoke last weekend but, ahead of the trip to Aston Villa, Ferguson has insisted they must do more.

"We have made the point to the players that goal difference could be important," he said.

"We have to make sure we are the best at that. Over the years we have been but at the moment Chelsea are well ahead of us.

"It gives us a bit of leeway to make up there as well as the points we are behind."

What gives Ferguson grounds for optimism is the fact United will have played most of the Premier League's most dangerous sides on enemy territory before Christmas.

The United boss is suspicious of a fixture list that has given his team away trips after every Champions League match.

"We have had a difficult first half of the season in terms of games away from home against all the top teams," he said.

"Having to play away from home after every European tie has not helped either. They say the league is not handicapped. It is this season.

"But it is our intention to get to the new year a couple of points behind the leaders. If we can do that, we have a big chance."

Ferguson is unlikely to get his wish given United have no room in their fixture list to play a game against Fulham that was postponed back in August.

They will fall another match behind during the Club World Cup, when a visit from Wigan on December 21 has been called off, meaning United might be further behind than the eight points they are currently adrift of Chelsea and Liverpool.

Not that Ferguson is getting too stressed out just yet.

Although he would prefer to be ahead, he realises there is plenty of time to claw back the gap.

"Ideally we won't have any slip-ups but it is difficult to say we can't afford any," he said.

"The name of the game now is consistency. The most consistent team from now on will win the league."