Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that his side will not let their nerves get the best of them during their English Premier League title run-in with Roberto Mancini and Manchester City.
With 11 Premier League games remaining for both City and United, the bitter Manchester rivals are separated by just two points in the table, setting up a classic rival versus rival title run-in.
Although both clubs are likely to drop points, Fergie has suggested that it is important to not drop as many points as your opponent.
It’s a simple concept, but once again the Scottish boss has hit the nail on the head.
“Both teams will drop points, but the important thing is not dropping as many as your opponent and we’re experienced, we won’t get nervous, we’re enjoying it and the battling performance we gave today against a very good team tells you that we’re well up for it,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.
Experience means very little if a side doesn’t have much quality, but the fact is that United have both the former and the latter.
Furthermore, United are the most experienced side when it comes to winning Premier League titles, with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes combining for an astounding 22 league trophies.
As a result, I think it would be very difficult, if not foolish, to bet against United winning yet another league title in 2011-12.
That being said, Manchester City control their own destiny as they say, and will host United at the Etihad Stadium on April 30.
Surely you remember the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, which saw City rout United 6-1 in front of over 75,000 witnesses.
Expect a much closer game at the Etihad on April 30. In fact, I’d bet the 401k on that scoreline not repeating itself.
Also, by April 30, the Red Devils injury woes should clear up a bit.
“The good thing is that I’ve got players back – Anderson’s back now, [Tom] Cleverley’s back next week, [Chris] Smalling will be fit for Thursday’s game [against Athletic Bilbao], players are coming back, and with a full squad it gives us a better chance,” added Sir Alex.
However, the return of Carlos Tevez to Manchester City may just cancel out United’s returning first-team players.
Tevez, a world-class goal-scorer, would love nothing more than to beat United, his former club, and hoist the Premier League trophy for City.
Can Carlos Tevez help propel Manchester City to lift the English Premier League trophy in May?
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