Alex Ferguson has admitted Manchester United's quest for a Premier League title hat-trick was dealt a major blow by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium today.

After setting his team an 85-point target to secure their third successive crown, Ferguson knows the Red Devils remain stuck on 21 after 11 games, gaining just a single point from trips to the other members of the 'big four'.

So, although the United boss could not fault his side for effort and was drooling at some of the football they played, he confirmed the result was not what his side were looking for.

"It is a big blow to us," he said. "We needed to win the game. Our results against the other big clubs are a big concern. It is a complete opposite to last year, when we lost at Chelsea and drew at Arsenal but won the rest.

"We have got to get above 85 points to have a chance of winning the league, so we must keep going for it."

While the industry of his side's performance meant it could not be used as an excuse, Ferguson once again questioned how the fixtures have fallen for United.

In the first half of the season they must play the entire top eight from last term away from home, while every Champions League group game, such as last week's trip to Celtic, is followed by United getting on their travels in domestic combat.

"They say the league is not handicapped — I am not so sure," he said. "Having every game away from home following a European tie is not easy. Going from Celtic on Wednesday to play at Arsenal the following Saturday lunchtime is hard, although funnily enough, I did not think it was a problem today."

Ferguson felt if Cristiano Ronaldo had pulled a goal back immediately after Samir Nasri had bagged his second, the Red Devils would have gone on to win.

Similarly, Wayne Rooney had chances to put the visitors ahead before Nasri had opened his account.

With Arsenal's confidence flaky, United could well have taken advantage, although Ferguson felt the pressure being placed on Arsene Wenger worked in the hosts' favour.

"Arsenal were inspired by people saying they were out of the title race," said Ferguson.

"The crowd were right up for it and the players were ready for the challenge as well.

"There was all this talk about so many players being missing but apart from Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie, who might not have played anyway, it did not look like a massive injury list to me."

Ferguson calculated United had 21 attempts on goal, following up their 20 at Celtic Park. Yet on neither occasion did they come away with a win, with Rafael da Silva grabbing the consolation goal in north London.

"I don't know if anyone else can create as many chances as that away from home," he said. "It was a fantastic game. We could have been four up before they scored.

"You hope to do better than that in big games but it will come. We are making chances, that is the main thing."