SIR ALEX FERGUSON is proud to still have Paul Scholes at Manchester United.

After Ryan Giggs' masterclass at Derby on Sunday, it was fellow veteran Scholes' turn to show he can still be lethal at the highest level with an outstanding performance in last night's 3-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford.

Scholes scored the opener in trademark fashion, thanks to a sloppy bit of goalkeeping from Mark Schwarzer who fumbled the volley from Michael Carrick's corner.

He then helped set up Dimitar Berbatov for the second before fit-again Wayne Rooney tapped home with his first touch to send the Red Devils five points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

"Paul was fantastic. Some of his switches of play were magnificent," said Fergie.

"These lads are great examples to young players in how they live their life. They have kept their ambition, which is important.

"We are delighted with their performances and are so proud to have them here."

In his programme notes, Ferguson lambasted Chelsea for sacking Luiz Felipe Scolari - claiming the move had "played right into our hands".

But the United boss was not quite as bullish after the final whistle as he assessed a title race in which his team also hold an eight-point advantage on Aston Villa with Chelsea trailing two further points back with 13 games remaining.

However, Ferguson does believe the strength of his United squad should prevent a repeat of their 1998 misery - when they opened up a 12-point lead on Arsenal but succumbed to a mountain of late-season injuries to allow Arsene Wenger's men to clinch the title.

"You can never be dead sure, but it is fair to say Chelsea have an uphill fight now," reflected Ferguson.