He said: "United are well clear at the top of the table, but that doesn't mean the championship is over."

"If they stay in the Champions League and get some injuries to important players, as we have, then they can still be caught.

"Injuries to important players can be decisive. I mean, if we hadn't had that problem last season we would have qualified for the Champions League.

"There is still a long way to go. Arsenal are giving the impression that the title race is already over, but that is not our view.

"How can we give up now? We must still go out believing we can win every game and hope that the teams above us will drop points.

"First of all, qualifying for the Champions League is our primary aim, but if United were to drop points in the Premiership then we must be ready to capitalise."

Westerveld does, however, believe that United have one major advantage over their rivals - the fear factor.

The former FC Twente and Vitesse Arnhem star added: "They not only have the respect of all their opponents, they also have the fear that Ajax used to have.

"That counts for a lot. When you were in a team which played against Ajax at the time when they had all their stars, you knew you'd lose!

"It was stupid to think that way because we all wanted to win, and we would tell the Press that we were determined to do so.

"But sometimes in the bus on the way to the stadium you'd think you would be happy with a draw or, on certain days, just to lose 1-0."