Sir Alex Ferguson on why his Manchester United are behind Manchester City : Title bid kept Manchester City alive.

Manchester / NationalTurk – Manchester United ‘s Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed Manchester City have not fallen apart in the Premiee League title race this season because they had the title in sight all the time.

Manchester City and Manchester United head into the final game knowing they could end up as champions of Premier League. With Manchester City having the clear edge thanks to their goal difference advantage over United, they can secure their first Premier League title since 1968 if they win afainst away-struggling QPR, while Manchester United will battle with Sunderland on away turf.

For City manager Roberto Mancini a league title represents a major achievement, since he and Manchester City have had to deal with numerous issues, including Carlos Tevez’s lengthy absence from the club and Mario Balotelli’s maniacal behaviour. It was Mancini himself who repeatedly lost hopes of Manchester City ‘s title hopes. Sir Alex Ferguson stated: ‘ It is obvious all the things Mancini has had to deal with. If he didn’t have the closeness to win the league, it might have fallen apart.’

Manchester Rivalry : Ferguson gives credit to City manager Mancini

Instead, Manchester City look set to be crowned champions, setting Manchester United a challenge Ferguson likens to the one Jose Mourinho laid down following his arrival at Chelsea in 2004.

‘ We had to contend with Jose Mourinho’s management style, which was very effective, ‘ claimed United living legend old hand Alex Ferguson. ‘ Jose did a fantastic job there. You knew you were competing against a very clever manager. You weren’t just facing the money, you were facing a very united squad, baby ‘

‘ They were a though lot to beat. Manchester City – quality-wise – are very similar to Chelsea back then. Some of their players have had outstanding seasons. When you win the Premier league you need five or six players who are consistently good all the time. Manchester City have had that this year and the Mancini their manager, for most of the part, has done well.’

Sir Alex Ferguson : Even Manchester City do not make the idiotic mistake, United will not back down

However, even if Manchester City do not make the ‘ idiotic ‘ mistake Alex Ferguson notes it requires for his Manchester United to land a 20th crown, he will not back down from the challenge.

‘ We have to do something about it,’ Fergie stated. ‘ That is the only thing we can do. We have to meet challenges and the good thing is that we tend to get there in the end.’

‘ In the situation we are in at the moment, it looks as though we are going to lose out this 2011-2012 season. But there are a lot of young players in the squad. We don’t look, in any way, as though it is the end of a period for us.

‘ In various ways it is the beginning for a lot of young players here. The challenge is very clear to them now if we lose the title. As we did when Chelsea lifted the Premier League trophy two years in a row, we have to do something about it. We managed to do that. Hopefully we can repeat it. ‘

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