ALEX FERGUSON admits Newcastle United hold the key to Manchester United’s hopes of winning the Premier League.
United need Manchester City, who lead the championship on goal difference with two games remaining, to slip up in the early kick-off at St James’ Park on Sunday to boost their chances of retaining their crown.
United host Swansea City later on Sunday before the next weekend’s final round of matches which see Roberto Mancini’s men play Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium and the champions complete their season at Sunderland.
Against Swansea, Ferguson will be without Danny Welbeck and Jonny Evans who each have foot injuries.
Asked if the title race was over if City beat Newcastle, Ferguson said: “Yes. Yes, it looks like it. That’s [Newcastle] a tough game, there’s no question about that.”
City lead United by a goal difference of eight after United’s lead was erased by their 4-4 draw with Everton and City winning the Manchester derby, 1-0.
Despite this Mancini still says United are favourites. “What do you think?” Ferguson said. “They’ve got two games left. If they win the two games they’ve won the league.
“They have got to win at Newcastle, that’s the challenge for them,” Ferguson said. “Newcastle is a very difficult place to go to and they’re playing well. They lost incredibly to Wigan by four goals and then galvanised themselves to go and win 2-0 at Chelsea [on Wednesday].
“As everyone knows, winning at Chelsea is a very difficult job. We hadn’t done it for eight years so their form is good and it will not be an easy game.
“Everton had something to play for when they came to us after losing to Liverpool after a really poor performance [in the FA Cup semi-final], and they want to finish above Liverpool in the league. Newcastle are fighting for that position in the top four and have a chance. They are a point behind Arsenal and have the same number of points as Tottenham with two games left.”
Tim Krul, meanwhile, has warned City’s players to expect an atmosphere at St James’ Park so intense it could make them “crumble”. Krul is adamant that Newcastle will provide City with a stern test. “It’s going to be electric on Sunday at St James’ Park,” said the Dutch goalkeeper.
“We’ve had Man United and Sunderland [there] and I’m sure the fans will generate the same atmosphere as they did in those two games.
“It makes teams crumble. City are a fantastic team, they beat us 3-0 at their place, they have fantastic players, but as long as we’re solid we’ve got Papiss [Cisse] and Demba [Ba] up front, and Hatem [Ben Arfa], who can all make things happen.
“United fans will be rooting for us and I wouldn’t feel any guilt if we stop City from winning the title. We’re fighting for our position and to be where we are is an incredible achievement.”
If Newcastle, whose final match of the season is away to Everton, finish fourth they could still miss out on a Champions League place should Chelsea, who are fifth, four points behind Alan Pardew’s side, beat Bayern Munich in the final of this season’s tournament on May 19th.
Guardian Service
