MANCHESTER: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbished claims by Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini that the Premier League title race is over.
Ferguson’s side, who entertain struggling Aston Villa tomorrow, saw their lead at the top of the table cut to five points with five games remaining after a shock midweek defeat at Wigan. Second-placed City can move within two points of their title rivals if they beat Norwich at Carrow Road today.
Yet Mancini, speaking after his side’s win over West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, conceded that the title race was over and that United had ‘fantastic spirit’. Ferguson clearly believes Mancini’s comments are meant to take the pressure off his players and heap it on United.
“I think he picked the wrong time to say it,” said Ferguson. “There’s five games still to go. The twists and turns of the Premier League are fascinating and we had to experience that last season when we played Chelsea in the third or fourth final game, a vital game for us, and we won.
“The experience helped us that day and hopefully it does again. Tomorrow’s game is the one to focus on. The rest takes care of itself really. After tomorrow, where we’ll hopefully win, there’s four games left. You eventually whittle all the games away and you’re left with none and hopefully we’ll achieve what we want to achieve.”
Wolves staring down the barrel
Meanwhile, Michael Kightly admits there are ‘a million and one reasons’ why Wolves are bottom of the Premier League table.
Wolves travel to Sunderland today knowing defeat could see them clinging on to their Premier League status by virtue of goal difference alone. Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to Arsenal made it seven consecutive defeats for Terry Connor’s team in what has been a disastrous campaign for the Midlands club.
“There are a million and one reasons probably why we haven’t been good enough this season,” said winger Kightly. “We’re all gutted about that and showing fight is the least we can do.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2012.
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