Ferguson won't be drawn on title talk

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Manchester: Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his Manchester United players to ignore Roberto Mancini's claim they can effectively wrap up another Premier League title this weekend.

United, chasing a record 20th crown, will go eight points clear at the summit if they overcome struggling QPR at Old Trafford on Sunday before Manchester City take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

City manager Mancini, who has seen his expensively-assembled side lose momentum over the last few weeks, admitted on Thursday that his side will have no chance of catching United if they defeat QPR and his side lose at Arsenal.

But Ferguson, asked about Mancini's comments at a press conference on Friday, refused to be drawn into more mind games with the Italian after their recent verbal sparring.

"I'm not getting into that. I don't need to get into that," Ferguson said.

"We must concentrate on the game ahead and that's Queens Park Rangers. We'll focus on that, not worry about elsewhere."

United are strong favourites to win the title for the fifth time in six seasons after hitting a fine run of form.

Ferguson's side have taken 31 points from the last 33 available since losing at Newcastle on January 4, and are considered to have an easier run-in to rivals City. But the United manager is taking nothing for granted.

"I wouldn't anticipate complacency (from my players) but I do think if your concentration is not 100 per cent then there will be moments in games like we experienced recently against Fulham," he said.

"Four or five of our player gave the ball away in the space of about five minutes and it created a bit of nervousness.

"We survived that. I made the point that it was good for us to have that because that is an indication of how the games are going to be between now and the end of the season."

QPR, managed by former United star Mark Hughes, are fighting against relegation.

United had to wait until the final 10 minutes before scoring twice to seal victory at relegation-threatened Blackburn on Monday, and Ferguson believes his players will again have to show patience on Sunday.

He added: "It won't be easy because it's another game against a team fighting for survival. They're never easy.

"It wasn't easy on Monday and I don't mind if we have to wait until the final 10 minutes again to win on Sunday.

"QPR have beaten both Liverpool and Arsenal recently and knowing Mark, he's a fighter and his team will fight.

"As much as we're looking forward to the game, it's going to be a hard one."

Ferguson also revealed Portugal winger Nani could be involved after being sidelined for the last five games with an ankle problem.

"He's been training all week. He's such a talented player and makes the squad that bit stronger," said Ferguson.

QPR manager Mark Hughes thinks Manchester United will win title

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Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes believes Manchester United's experience of winning titles gives them the edge in the race for the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are five points clear of Manchester City with seven matches remaining.
"There is a little bit of a sense of inevitability," said Hughes, a former manager of City and player for United.
"United have been in this situation so many times before, and City haven't. I think that can be key."

United are closing in on a record 20th league title and Hughes does not expect City, who he managed between June 2008 and December 2009, to close the gap on their neighbours and win the league for the first time since 1968.

"You sense that United are looking at fixtures, taking each game on its merits and just ticking off games they have to play from now until the end of the season," he said.
Hughes nonetheless hopes that his QPR team can cause an upset in the Premier League game between the two sides at Old Trafford on Sunday.
"Obviously we're hopeful that we're going to have a performance that will upset that plan in terms of what United expect from the game," he said.
"That is certainly our intention and we're not just going there to lie down and lose the game."

QPR are only a place outside the relegation zone on goal difference and face trips to Chelsea and Manchester City as well as Sunday's game against Manchester United. With such a difficult run-in, Hughes accepts that his side must target points from all of the seven remaining games.

"Our intention is to get something out of the game because of the situation we find ourselves in," he said.
"We'll make it difficult for them but certainly sense that, because of the situation and the turnaround that has occurred, United are in the box seat.
"You would be very surprised if they lost it from the position they find themselves in now."

Ferdinand: Still all to play for

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Rio Ferdinand insists United's celebrations at the final whistle at Blackburn on Monday night were by no means a sign that the Reds think the title is won.
The 2-0 victory at Ewood Park brought to an end a disappointing run of results against Rovers on their own patch and in turn gave Sir Alex's men a five-point lead over rivals Manchester City at the Barclays Premier League summit. Many now believe United are now a sure bet for title no.20, but Ferdinand maintains that talk of another championship crown already being in the bag is far too premature.
[The celebrations at Blackburn] were blown out of all proportion," he told ManUtd.com. "Since I have been at the club, for the last 10 years, it has been a hard place to go. We have not had good results there and we wanted to put that right and make sure we got a good result.
"We are in the position we would like to be in at this stage of the season but it is not over, and I don't think it is a time that says we won the league. Those celebrations weren't because we thought it was over, it was because we got a good result at a place where, a couple of years ago, they helped stop us winning the league. So it was nice to get one back over them.
"There is still a lot of football to be played between now and the end of the season, when the trophies are handed out," he added. "We have to make sure we apply ourselves in the right way for every game. If we do that, put in the performances and get the results we want, we will hopefully be lifting the trophy at the end of the season."
Since the January defeat at Newcastle, United have taken 31 points from a possible 33 as the momentum has swung back towards the red half of Manchester. Nevertheless, Ferdinand is refusing to take anything for granted.
"We know it can change very quickly as well, from being on a great run to having a dip. We have been there before," he said. "The only thing on our minds is to keep winning each game and not look beyond that. It is a cliché and it is boring, but that is the way it is. It is quite simple. Black and white.
"The next game is the most important one. You just have to keep ticking off the fixtures and winning games."
Next up for Sir Alex's men is an Easter Sunday clash with Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford, who are equally desperate for points but for different reasons.
"Everyone is saying our run-in looks easy, but our next three games [QPR, Wigan, Villa] are against teams who are fighting to stay in the Premier League, so this talk of easy games goes out of the window," continues Rio.
"We know QPR have some players who can be potential matchwinners and if we are not on our game, they have the potential to beat us. At this stage of the season there are no gimmes. If we want the result, we will have to go out and earn it."

Man Utd will win title before Man City game, says Phil Neville

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Phil Neville expects his former club Manchester United to clinch the Premier League title before the derby with Manchester City on 30 April.

Neville told BBC Radio Manchester's Red Wednesday: "I think the title will be over before that game at the Etihad.
"It's not the [derby] games that are going to win you the title, it's the games against the likes of Blackburn, Swansea and Sunderland.

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“I always think it's at this stage of the season you see the true spirit and true quality in title-winning teams”

Phil Neville

"At the moment, Manchester United are doing that better than City."

He continued: "City go to Arsenal next, which is such a difficult game. It's all going in Manchester United's favour at the moment, and they've got the experience."
City won the first Manchester derby of the season 6-1 at Old Trafford, but Neville believes focusing on the return fixture may have proved a distraction.
"About a month ago, everyone looked at the game at the Etihad and thought that's the game where the title will be won, and I think even [City boss] Roberto Mancini said it," said Neville.
"I looked at the fixture list and thought the title could be over, because you start dropping points in between."
But while the Everton captain - who won six league titles in his 10 years at United - believes the title race has swung decisively in his old club's favour, he also acknowledges that they have been forced to improve by the challenge from their local rivals.

"They've had to raise the bar because Manchester City have been fantastic this season.

"United have had to go up not just a couple of gears but three or four gears, in the first half of the season just to stay close to them."
Even so, Neville thinks the Reds will be worthy winners if they go on to clinch a 13th title since Sir Alex Ferguson took charge and a 20th in all.
He said: "I always think it's at this stage of the season you see the true spirit and true quality in title-winning teams.
"United have prepared all season for March, April, May and you're now seeing a team that's bang in form - full of confidence, everyone fit - who I think are worthy champions."

Police charge Liverpool fan over alleged racist abuse directed at Evra

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Police have charged a man over an alleged racist gesture made during Liverpool's FA Cup fourth-round victory over Manchester United.
Phillip Gannon, 58, of Heol Meirion, Barmouth, North Wales, has been charged with a racially aggravated section five public order offence and a section five public order offence, Merseyside Police said.
He has been bailed to appear at the Liverpool Community Justice Centre at 9.45am on April 20.

Target? Evra was subject to the alleged abuse at Anfield

The alleged incident happened at Anfield on January 28 this year.

Earlier, a television image capturing a Liverpool fan making an alleged racist gesture during the clash was distributed on social networking websites, sparking a number of complaints to the force.
It was the first game between the rivals since the eight-match ban imposed on Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after the FA found him guilty of racially abusing United defender and captain Patrice Evra.
Before the match, in which Liverpool triumphed 2-1, the stadium announcer warned supporters that racist and homophobic behaviour would not be tolerated.

Flashpoint: Evra and Suarez clashed earlier in the season

We won't let Blackburn bite us - Ferguson

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Wayne Rooney's penalty at Ewood Park helped Manchester United to the title last season

Sir Alex Ferguson is adamant Manchester United will not underestimate Blackburn Rovers, insisting they won't let over-confidence come back to bite them during the title run-in.
United head to Ewood Park to face relegation-threatened Blackburn on Monday, with the chance to open a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after arch-rivals Manchester City were held to a home draw against Sunderland on Saturday.
The form guide would suggest United should beat Blackburn with some ease, but Ferguson - perhaps mindful of the 3-2 home defeat his team suffered against the same opposition earlier in the season - insists sometimes these sort of games are the hardest for title-chasing sides to successfully negotiate.
"We know how quickly football can turn on you and bite you," said Ferguson. "You can look at all the fixtures and say all those teams are fighting for their lives. And they are the kind of games you know will be tight."
United have not done well at Ewood Park in recent years, winning on just two of their last 11 visits. A late draw at the ground last season did help them clinch the title; however, a goalless draw at the same venue in 2010 derailed their hopes of denying Chelsea the league crown.
"The game at Blackburn has always been a difficult match," Ferguson agreed. "It is a local derby and tends to be a bit feisty.
"Last season we were lucky enough to come back from a goal down to win the league.
"But it will be a very difficult game. That is the way it is going to be from now until the end of the season."

'Rooney can score 40 goals this season'- Manchester United boss Ferguson

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The Red Devils' boss is tipping the England striker to increase his tally for the current campaign and highlighted the former Everton prodigy's growing maturity

 Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney can reach 40 goals for the season and has praised the striker’s maturity.
Rooney has been in lethal form recently and has so far fired 31 goals for Manchester United and England. But despite his superb performances for the league leaders, Ferguson admitted Arsenal’s Robin van Persie is the favourite to be named as Player of the Year.

The Scot told The Guardian: "He could get to 40 goals.

"He has eight matches left, he can average a goal a game; you'd take that, wouldn't you? We would reasonably expect eight more goals.
“Would he get footballer of the year? Well, you have to say that Van Persie has had an exceptional season."

Wayne Rooney is 3.5 with 188Bet to score the first goal in Manchester United's clash with Blackburn Rovers on Monday night.

 

Rooney, 26, has been praised by his club manager for both his increased self-control and maturity.
"You always see a maturity about players when they reach their mid-20s," said Sir Alex.
"Along with their ability comes the thought patterns and timing. They are more in control of themselves in terms of what they are capable of doing."
The United boss has seen titles both won and lost in his time at Old Trafford and described the pressure of a Premier League run in.
"You get nerves. You are in a football job and it's your life and there is anxiety but not to the point that you get desperate.
"We lost the league in 1992 with four games in six days and to see your lead evaporate like that – it felt like it had disappeared within seconds."
With that experience in mind, Sir Alex conceded that a slip-up could well be around the corner and recalled the points tally he had predicted earlier in the season.
"There could be a shock around the corner now, you never know. We have done well in terms of getting into the position we are and now it is a case of playing our game and keeping our nerve. That is why I was so concerned in the last 15 minutes of the Fulham game when we kept giving the ball away.
"We won the league with 75 points one year – 1997 – and the year we won the treble we did it with 78. I still cannot believe that. Earlier in the season I thought 82 would do it but that won't happen now, will it? That calculation has been stood on its head."