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Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson applauds Man City title win

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has congratulated Manchester City on pipping them to the Premier League title on goal difference.

But the Scot also warned that United would come back stronger when they try to overhaul their rivals next season.

"On behalf of Manchester United I congratulate Manchester City on winning the Premier League," said Ferguson.

"It's not an easy league to win and anyone who wins it deserves it because it is a long haul."

United would have won the title with scores as they were at 90 minutes. They had beaten Sunderland 1-0 and City were trailing QPR 2-1.

But City scored twice in injury time to finish ahead of United and claim their first title since 1968.

Ferguson said: "They [City] can go on as much as they like. That's what you would expect, but the history of our club stands us aside.

"We don't need to worry about that. I think we have a rich history, better than anyone, and it will take them a century to get to our level of history.

"But for us it's still a challenge and we're good at challenges. We'll kick on from here.

"The players are very disappointed. There's no other way they should be. They conducted themselves brilliantly [against Sunderland], played really good football and, but for the Sunderland keeper, it could have been six or seven.

"So the performance level was good considering the pressure they were under. They never showed that at all and the temperament was terrific.

"And I'm pleased with their performance this season. With 89 points, it would have been good enough to win most leagues."

Ferguson insisted there was "no doubt" he was relishing the challenge provided by City and that his squad would learn from the disappointment of losing out on the title.

"Experiences of a good type enthuse people but, when they have a bad one, it brings a sense of determination in you," Ferguson said.

"The players we think we have here, the younger players, they've got a good resolve about them. There should be a good response because they have got the right character.

"It [losing the title] shouldn't do them any harm. We don't like doing it but, at the end of the day, you have to kick on and take the challenges because we are good at that."

Premier League - Match facts: Sunderland v Manchester United

There have been more direct free kick goals in PL games involving Sunderland than any other team (5 scored, 4 conceded).

United have lost just two of their last 17 Premier League games, both by a 0-1 scoreline away from home and in their last two away games.

Three of the last five goals Manchester United have scored against Sunderland have been own goals by the Wearsiders, two by Anton Ferdinand and one by Wes Brown.

The Black Cats have failed to score in eight of their last 10 league games against the Red Devils, including the last four in a row.

Man Utd have won 14 and lost none of their last 19 Premier League games against Sunderland.

Sunderland have gone seven Premier League games without a win, though they have drawn five of those.

27% of the goals Sunderland have conceded have been headers the highest proportion in the top flight.

Man Utd have scored the joint-most headers in the Premier League (15) this season.

Man Utd have won on the last day of the season in eight of the last nine seasons.

Sunderland’s win on the last day of 2010-11 (3-0 v West Ham) was their first in 10 Premier League seasons.

Two goals in this game will see Man Utd become only the fourth team in Premier League history to reach 90+ goals.

Man United set to make sensational move for Arsenal star

Manchester United are lining up a sensational move for Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie.

The 28-year-old has just one year left on his current deal at the Emirates and there has been intense speculation over whether he will remain at Arsenal.

Van Persie, who has hit 35 goals in all competitions this season, has stated that he will hold talks with Arsene Wenger over his future in the summer.

Manchester City are reportedly ready to pay the Dutchman £250,000 a week to quit north London, while Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been linked with moves.

Now United have joined the chase, with Sir Alex Ferguson planning to strengthen his squad this summer after a disappointing campaign that looks set to end without any silverware.

talkSPORT understands United have already sounded out the possibility of van Persie making a switch to Old Trafford, and are prepared to splash out big on the former Feyenoord man.

Manchester United captain Patrice Evra does not think it will be the "end of the empire" if they lose their Premier League crown to Manchester City.

United, who led by eight points one month ago, trail City on goal difference with one game left.

Evra said: "I know that if we don't win the league then a lot of people will say this is the end of the empire and ask how we will survive.

"But there is a lot of talent at this club."

Evra, who has captained United this season in the absence of Nemanja Vidic, has made more than 290 appearances for United since signing from Monaco in 2006, but he may have to wait to add to the four Premier League winners' medals he has picked up at Old Trafford.

To win a 20th league title, United need to better City's result against QPR when they face Sunderland on Sunday, or else win by eight more goals than their rivals.

However, Evra believes Sir Alex Ferguson's side have done well to take the title race to the final day of the season, in a campaign which has been disrupted by injures.

Vidic has been sidelined since December with knee ligament damage, while Darren Fletcher remains out of action with a bowel condition.

Tom Cleverley, Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Michael Owen have also spent large chunks of the season in the treatment room - something Evra believes has had an impact in the title race.

"We've had to deal with a lot through injuries and losing experienced players last summer and it's never easy to find a solution immediately," the French defender added.

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MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 0 SWANSEA 

First-half goals by Paul Scholes and Ashley Young earned a comfortable win over Swansea as Manchester United moved level on points with Manchester City - but it could not disguise a feeling of helplessness at Old Trafford.


Although only goal difference separates the top two, the championship will be City's for the first time in 44 years so long as Roberto Mancini's side can match United's result on the final day of the season.


City will face QPR at home, having won all but one of their 18 Premier League matches at the Etihad Stadium, while United travel to Sunderland.

And with United only managing the same margin of victory as City had earlier recorded at Newcastle, Sir Alex Ferguson's men trail their "noisy neighbours" by eight goals.

Four weeks ago Ferguson's side were eight points clear of Mancini's team.

And as the Scot walked onto the pitch afterwards, his assertion that "hopefully next week will be the biggest celebration of our lives" underlined the about-turn in fortunes needed.

United had numerous chances to boost their goals tally, but they came up against a stubborn Swansea team, who again demonstrated their aptitude for the top flight in keeping their hosts at bay.

The City result made for a subdued start to the game, but United began to grow in confidence against the visitors and once Swansea's Nathan Dyer had curled over the top, Michel Vorm did well to produce a double save to thwart Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney.

Antonio Valencia, restored to the side after missing out in the 1-0 defeat by Manchester City on Monday, had a hand in his side's opener. His cutback found Michael Carrick, whose shot was deflected past Vorm by Scholes.

That lifted the atmosphere, and once Young found the corner of the net with a fine curling effort following Scott Sinclair's mistake, there appeared some hope that the hosts could reduce their city rivals' goal difference advantage.

Javier Hernandez could have added to the total before the break, and once Gylfi Sigurdsson had tested David de Gea early in the second half, Young was inches from adding his second of the afternoon as Nathan Dyer sped back to clear.

United's desire to push for goals left them open at the other end and Danny Graham and Dyer went close, while Sigurdsson drew another De Gea save from a free-kick.

Rooney chipped just wide, among a host of other chances, but the sense of frustration around Old Trafford was evident when the United striker picked up his first booking of the season after fouling Leon Britton.

Four weeks ago, Ferguson's team were favourites to secure their 20th top-flight championship, but Rooney and his team-mates will recognise that their recent defeat at Wigan, not to mention letting a two-goal lead slip against Everton two weeks ago, could have cost them this time.

The problem now is that if City secure their first Premier League title, it will only serve to highlight a shift in power which may be hard to reverse.

MANCHESTER UNITED VS SWANSEA

TEAM NEWS

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck is out after injuring his ankle in a tackle with Nigel de Jong during Monday's derby.

Jonny Evans remains sidelined, but Anders Lindegaard is available for the first time since January.

Former United youth player Alan Tate (calf) could be available for Swansea after returning to training.

The Swans are also monitoring the fitness of right-back Angel Rangel (hamstring).

MATCH PREVIEW

"Do you want to go first or second?" It's the classic game show question, but not a choice Manchester United can make ahead of another potentially classic Premier League weekend.

United went second in the table on Monday night and they're kicking off second this time, with Manchester City's result at Newcastle set to have a huge impact on the early atmosphere at Old Trafford.

It won't change how Sir Alex Ferguson will ask his side to play against Swansea - they have to win the game - but can you imagine the noise around the place if City have done anything other than win on Tyneside?

A Newcastle win or even a draw would hand the initiative back to the reigning champions and they couldn't throw it away again could they?

Little would surprise me in this terrific title race anymore, particularly with the nerves United have displayed in recent weeks. They've won only one of their last four games, and the first 15 minutes aside, struggled to find any sort of attacking rhythm or threat in Monday's crunch derby.

Having scored four in each of their last two home games, the attacking side of things shouldn't be a problem in this one, with Wayne Rooney finding home especially close to his heart at the moment. He's not scored in any of his last four away games but has bagged 12 goals in his last seven matches at Old Trafford - scoring in every game.

It's at the other end where nerves might just be a factor. Jonny Evans is out again through injury, and whilst you can't compare his absence to that of Nemanja Vidic, for most of the season his form throughout the campaign does mean that he'll be missed.

What sort of threat will Swansea pose? Well we know they keep the ball better than most, but they have struggled to score away from Wales, with only Fulham and Stoke netting fewer away goals.

Just like Sunderland on the final day though, they won't be the pushover Roberto Mancini's mind games are trying to suggest, and it's great that they'll be able to play in a relaxed style that will suit them for one of the games their fans have looked forward to most all season.

Manchester United away for the last away game - and no threat of relegation. It's been a superb first Premier League season for Swansea. How will United remember their 20th? We'll know for sure next Sunday. We might get a good idea this one.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Swansea have won none of their previous eight matches at Old Trafford (D2 L6).
• United's win at the Liberty Stadium in November was the only win by an away team in 17 fixtures between the two sides.

Man Utd

• Sir Alex Ferguson's side are yet to win any of the eight league games in which they have conceded the opening goal this season (D3 L5).
• Wayne Rooney has scored 13 Premier League goals in 2012 - the joint most along with Papiss Cisse.
• He currently has 26 league goals this season - one more would give him his best ever Premier League tally.
• Rooney needs two more goals to reach 200 in his club career and he is poised to make his 250th Premier League appearance for Manchester United.
• Manchester United failed to have a shot on target v Manchester City in a Premier League game for the first time since May 2009 v Arsenal.

Swansea

• The Swans have won just one of their last seven Premier League games (D2 L4), but are unbeaten in three.
• Only Fulham (12) and Stoke (11) have scored fewer away goals than Swansea (17) in the Premier League this season.
• Swansea have won more games (six) against teams in the top half of the table than they have against sides in the bottom half (five) this season.
• Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored in four of Swansea's last five Premier League wins.
• Danny Graham has scored 99 goals in 299 club career appearances.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson rejects Roberto Mancini's title race view

Sir Alex Ferguson has rejected Roberto Mancini's theory Manchester United remain favourites to retain their title.

The Blues' Italian boss has been playing down City's chances even though they are ahead on goal difference with two games to go after Monday's derby.

 But Ferguson certainly does not agree the Reds are facing "easy" games against Swansea and Sunderland.

 "I don't think we have easy games," he said. 

"If you go to Sunderland on the last game of the season, with the support they have and the manager they have got, you don't expect an easy game and the way Swansea has played this season has been admirable.

 "City have got two games left. If they win their two games they win the league." 

Nevertheless, by beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Newcastle proved their well-being and hope springs eternal at United that the Magpies can avoid defeat to Manchester City on Sunday in a game that will finish half an hour before United kick off against Brendan Rodgers' men. 

"They have got to win at Newcastle. That is the challenge for them," said Ferguson. 

"Newcastle is a very difficult place and they are playing well.

 "As everyone knows, winning at Chelsea is very difficult. We have not done it for eight years. Their form is good and it will be a difficult game. 

"We will be aware of what is going on because everyone will be watching it, hoping it works for us.

 "You can't avoid it but whether I pay a lot of attention to it I don't know because we still have to prepare for our own game. We are not going to be neglecting that part."

 That game at the Sports Direct Arena is set to prove pivotal because, eight goals behind at the start of the weekend, Ferguson does not think it is possible to overhaul City's goal difference advantage.

 "Say they win three-nil on Sunday, the goal difference would be 11 and they still have QPR at home," said Ferguson.

"That would be impossible. I don't think the goal difference applies." 

Double blow for Manchester United was Danny Welbeck, Jonny Evans ruled out of Swans clash

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed injured stars Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck will not face Swansea on Sunday as his side bid to overcome the disappointment of losing top spot in the Barclays Premier League table to rivals Manchester City. 

Evans missed the 1-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium in a game which saw Welbeck suffer an ankle injury which led to him wearing a protective cast after the game. 

Ferguson will have to do without both Evans and Welbeck for the game at Old Trafford as his side look to take the title initiative back after Vincent Kompany's goal gave City the advantage, albeit on goal difference. 

Ferguson said on Evans: "He has improved a little bit but (will) not (be fit) for Sunday." 

On Welbeck he added: "He is out. He got injured on Monday. Hopefully he will be ready for the Sunderland game." 

Ferguson insisted his players had to deal with the setback against City and do their best to take maximum points from the final two games. 

"We have to get over the disappointment of Monday. It was a blow to us. It has put us on the back foot. We can only do what we can do."

MANCHESTER UNITED FC

Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.

The 1958 Munich air disaster claimed the lives of eight players. In 1968, under the management of Matt Busby, Manchester United was the first English football club to win the European Cup. The current manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has won 37 major honours since he took over in November 1986.

Manchester United has won many trophies in English football, including a record 19 league titles, a record 11 FA Cups, four League Cups and a record 19 FA Community Shields. The club has also won three European Cups, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup. In 1998–99, the club won a Treble of the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League, an unprecedented feat for an English club.

Manchester United is one of the wealthiest and most widely supported football teams in the world.As of July 2011, the club is number one in Forbes magazine's annual ranking of the world's 50 most valuable sports teams, valued at $1.86 billion. After being floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1991, the club was purchased by Malcolm Glazer in May 2005 in a deal valuing the club at almost £800 million.

ABOUT OLD TRAFFORD

Old Trafford is a football stadium in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, and the home of Manchester United. With a capacity of 75,811, Old Trafford is the second-largest football stadium in England after Wembley, the third-largest in the United Kingdom and the eleventh-largest in Europe. The stadium is approximately 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from Old Trafford Cricket Ground and the adjacent tram station.

The ground, nicknamed the Theatre of Dreams by Bobby Charlton, has been United's permanent residence since 1910, with the exception of an eight-year absence from 1941 to 1949, following the bombing of the stadium during the Second World War. During this period, the club shared Maine Road with local rivals Manchester City. The ground underwent several expansions in the 1990s and 2000s, including the addition of extra tiers to the North, West and East Stands, which served to return the ground almost to its original capacity of 80,000. Future expansion is likely to involve the addition of a second tier to the South Stand, which would raise the capacity to over 90,000.The stadium's record attendance was recorded in 1939, when 76,962 spectators watched the FA Cup semi-final between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grimsby Town.

The ground has frequently hosted FA Cup semi-final matches as a neutral venue and several England international fixtures while the new Wembley Stadium was under construction. It also hosted matches at the 1966 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1996, as well as the 2003 UEFA Champions League Final. Aside from football-related uses, Old Trafford has hosted rugby league's Super League Grand Final since the league's adoption of playoffs in 1998 and the final of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.

ABOUT SIR ALEX FERGUSON

Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE (born 31 December 1941) is a Scottish football manager and former player who has managed Manchester United since 1986. His tenure has seen the club go through an era of success and dominance both in England and in Europe, giving Ferguson a reputation as one of the most admired and respected managers in the history of the game.

Ferguson previously managed East Stirlingshire and St. Mirren, before a highly successful period as manager of Aberdeen. After a brief stint as manager of the Scotland national team following the death of Jock Stein, he was appointed manager of Manchester United in November 1986.

With 25 years as manager of Manchester United, he is the longest serving manager in their history after overtaking Sir Matt Busby's record on 19 December 2010. His tenure is also the longest of all the current League managers. During this time, Ferguson has won many awards and holds many records including winning Manager of the Year most times in British football history. In 2008, he became the third British manager to win the  European Cup on more than one occasion.

He was knighted in 1999 for his services to the game and also holds the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen.