Robson backs United in title race

Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson believes Manchester City are feeling the pressure in the race for the Premier League title.

The two Manchester clubs are separated by a point going into the last nine games of the season and meet on April 30 at the Etihad Stadium in what many believe will be a title decider.

And Robson is tipping United to claim their 20th title this season, believing the pressure will prove too much for Roberto Mancini’s men.

“As soon as you slip up, the pressure is on you – it looks like it won’t be your year,” he told the Mirror on Friday.

“Certain players will have it in the back of their mind that they’re never going to do it. Some will be really positive, but others won’t have the same character.”

The Manchester clubs have raced away from the rest of the league, with City sitting 14 points clear of third-placed Arsenal.

Mancini’s side face a trip to Stoke before travelling to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal, and Robson said City’s tough run of fixtures could prove decisive.

“City must be really disappointed. When you look at what they’ve achieved this season, normally they would be top of the league easily,” Robson said.

“But United have been grinding it out and have the advantage as it stands. City also have a tough fixture list. You wonder whether they can get maximum points out of that.

“It’s going to be really hard, especially with their away form (City have won just two of their last eight away league games).

“They’re fantastic at the Etihad (Stadium) and everybody will say the key issue is the game at Manchester City. If United win it, they’ll win the league. That would be the season done and dusted.

“If I was in control of either team, I’d want to be in control of United, because they’re going to have to lose it rather than City winning it.”