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24 April 2024

Meet only Man Utd man who can win the title

Published
By AFP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was left looking for a favour from former Old Trafford striker Mark Hughes in a last-gasp bid to retain the Premier League title.

Although United beat Swansea 2-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday they head into the final round of matches on May 13 behind leaders Manchester City, 2-0 winners over Newcastle, on goal difference.

If United are to have a chance of winning a 20th English title, they need a relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers side managed by Hughes to cause an upset away to City at Eastlands - where the leaders are unbeaten in the league this season _ and better their cross-town rivals' result when they play Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

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If both Manchester clubs win, only a massive goal difference swing in United's favour (City currently have a plus eight advantage) will deny Roberto Mancini's men the title.

"We have to go there with the right spirit to win the match," Ferguson told Sky Sports of the game away to Sunderland. "You never know.

"Our responsibility (next week) is to win the game.

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"We've got next week. QPR need a point you never know. I just wish Sparky (Hughes) was playing."

Speaking about Sunday's win, he added: "We did what had to do. We won the match. We had a lot of chances. I thought we played very, very well."

Mancini cautious as Man City eye title

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini adopted a cautious approach after a 2-0 victory at Newcastle left his side on the brink of the Premier League.

Yaya Toure's two goals at St James' Park on Sunday left visitors City top of the table heading into the final round of matches on May 13.

City, who haven't lost at home in the league all season, will welcome strugglers QPR will go into the match with a plus eight goal difference advantage over second-placed champions Manchester United.

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Assuming City beat QPR, United would have to win by a huge margin away to Sunderland to deny their cross-town rivals a first English title since 1968.

But while United manager Sir Alex Ferguson suggested City had "two hands" on the trophy Mancini, who wrote off his team's chances when they were eight points adrift of United a month ago, would only say: "Maybe we are the favourites now.

"But, in one game, things can change," the Italian added. "We should keep our concentration like we have done the last five weeks

"I'm excited because we are top, but it's not enough. If we play like we did here I think we have a fantastic chance to be champions."

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He added: We've still got a difficult game against QPR on the last day.

"At least it doesn't depend on Manchester United anymore, it depends on us, but we have another game.

"It won't be easy because QPR are fighting against relegation. If we think we have won the Championship it will be a big mistake.

"All the players have to keep their feet on the floor. I cannot talk about what it would mean to win the title, not until next week."

Toure, who was freed to moved forward and score his goals after Nigel de Jong went on as a substitute, is also not as convinced as Ferguson that the race is run. "Only one hand on the trophy," was his verdict.

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The Ivory Coast international added: "I always thought I came to this club to make a story. We are not there yet at the moment but it's important to keep going and try to help our team-mates."

Mancini paid tribute to Toure's influence on this victory by saying: "He is a fantastic player. He has experience of winning trophies at Barcelona and he has brought that to us.

"We brought him for that reason. He can play in a number of different positions, which is very important to us."