Jose Mourinho dismissed Manchester United's chance of catching Chelsea in the Premier League title race despite his side's 1-0 loss at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Darren Fletcher's first-half header inflicted Chelsea's first defeat in 41 matches and moved United 10 points behind the league leaders with a game in hand.
"We are not under pressure now. Manchester United have to win a game and then they are still seven points behind," Mourinho told a news conference.
"If you ask them if they want to change position with us they would do it in the same moment.
"We are not happy because we lost, but we feel proud of the way the team performed and proud to participate in the game.
"I believe it isn't a fair result for my team, but at the same time they were in front and defended everything with a lot of spirit and a lot of effort and they won a game.
"They have had a difficult period, they lost a lot of points and a few matches, but they have a good team, a good manager and the future can be better -- but not enough to be champions of England again.
"For sure they have a better future and will be more close to us, but I still believe we showed today why we are champions and why we are top of the league."
Manchester United midfielder Alan Smith said his side had been fired up by the criticism handed out by captain Roy Keane following United's 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough in an MUTV interview that was blocked from being screened by the club.
"The performance has always been there. The gaffer has never doubted us and we never doubted ourselves," Smith told Sky Sports.
"But sometimes you need a reminder you are at a big club, and you are not at your previous club, and we have had that.
"You have to accept criticism when it comes and at Manchester United you should not be getting beat, and certainly not getting beaten by four goals.
"There was criticism, but it was not just Roy. He is a proud person and he told us exactly what he said and the speculation in the paper was rubbish."
United manager Alex Ferguson was full of praise for the young players Keane had reportedly singled out for criticism.
"For an hour we were terrific and up until the last five minutes we were then put under the cosh. That's what champions do," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"The young players need consistency, but that's what happens when you play young players.
"The bones of the team are sat in the stands (with injuries) and the young players have carried the mantle for weeks.
"The desperation and keenness to play has been fantastic and it was a great attitude to have."
