Ferguson hoping for something ´stupid´

Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping for one more twist in the Premier League, and has called for his former charge Mark Hughes to do him a favour.

The Manchester United boss heads into the final weekend of the season with his side trailing Manchester City on goal difference, and facing a difficult trip to Sunderland.

City, meanwhile, face relegation-threatened QPR – managed by Hughes – at Etihad Stadium knowing a win would see them clinch their first top flight title since 1968.

Ferguson has not given up hope of taking United’s 20th championship, but admits it will need something remarkable from their bitter rivals.

“We can only do our best and try to win the match and hope something stupid happens with City,” Ferguson told reporters.

“It’s fantastic for the neutral, fantastic for the media, but agony for both clubs.”

Ferguson recalled the time he guided Aberdeen to European Cup Winners’ Cup success against Real Madrid, and urged QPR to match the resolve shown in 1983 to beat City.

“Eleven players, home-bred and the oldest player was 27 years of age. That’s QPR’s challenge, to do an Aberdeen,” he said.

“Of course, the odds are stacked against them. City are in good form and at home. It will not be easy for them because the pressure on them will be enormous, the fans will be putting the referee under tremendous pressure.

“It’s not going to be easy because you expect City to win. But, as long as human beings are human beings, you never know. You just hope something stupid happens.

“For QPR, it’s the other end of the spectrum, probably most of their players will be put on the (transfer) list, other players’ salaries will be halved from what I can gather. Things like that.

“That makes it such an important game. But it doesn’t matter if we don’t win.”