Nov. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke said the team remains in the race for the English Premier League even after yesterday’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea left the club five points behind the league-leading Blues.

“It’s far from over,” the retired player said in an interview. “We’re not even halfway through. Anyone who’s thinking of writing Man United off at this stage must be joking.”

John Terry’s goal at Stamford Bridge yesterday left United in third place on 25 points, the same as Arsenal in 2nd. Arsenal, which leads United on goal difference, also has played one fewer game. Chelsea has 30 points after winning its last six home matches.

Yorke, who won three league titles and the Champions League during three years at Old Trafford, said United manager Alex Ferguson’s experience will be key for the club at the end of the season in May.

Ferguson, 67, has been with the Red Devils since 1986. In that time, he’s won 11 league titles and two European Cups to become English soccer’s most successful coach.

“He’ll take stock,” Yorke said of the coach who forked out 12.6 million pounds ($21.1 million) to sign him from Aston Villa in 1998. “Sir Alex, with all his experience, will come back fighting. I’ve got no doubt about that.”

Ferguson accepted a Football Association charge of misconduct on Oct. 27 for calling referee Alan Wiley unfit and saying he took longer than others to caution players because he “needed a rest.” Yesterday, he criticized referee Martin Atkinson for allowing Terry’s 76th minute winning goal to stand.

Yorke said the Scot would keep the dressing-room relaxed despite his outburst.

“He’ll be calm and he’ll say ‘Stay calm,’” the former Trinidad and Tobago captain said.

The Football Association said today it won’t take further action against Ferguson, who said Atkinson’s position for Terry’s goal was “ridiculous.”

“He can’t see anything,” Ferguson told Sky Sports. “It was a bad decision.”

United next hosts 12th-place Everton in the league Nov. 21, while Wolves, which is next-to-last in the standings, visits Chelsea on the same day. Arsenal visits eighth-place Sunderland.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tariq Panja in London at 3677 or tpanja@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 9, 2009 10:39 EST