United hope for one final twist in title race

LONDON, (Reuters) – Final day twists in the race for the Premier League title are extremely rare but Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson knows from his experience that strange things can sometimes happen under pressure.

His side must beat Stoke City at home tomorrow and hope that Wigan Athletic, among the worst travellers in the top flight, can prevent Chelsea winning at Stamford Bridge.  If not, blue ribbons will replace red on the trophy and leave United with just a League Cup success and a starring role in the most absorbing title race for many years as scant consolation for a long, hard season.

Chelsea are favourite to prevent United winning a record 19th English title on Sunday but their manager Carlo Ancelotti, like Ferguson, has been around the game long enough not to be counting his chickens just yet.

Ferguson, always keen to play a few mind games, said United are now clutching at straws after a 1-0 win at Sunderland last week at least extended the battle to Sunday’s finale.

One thing is guaranteed, however, and that is that his side finish with all guns blazing against Stoke.

“We have a chance to win the league and we will fight until the end,” United’s Nani said this week. “You never know what’s going to happen in football. We just have to wait and see and win our game against Stoke at Old Trafford.”

Ancelotti, whose side lead the table by a point, will be well aware that only a win against Wigan is likely to be enough but keeper Petr Cech said that scenario will do nicely.

“If at the beginning of the season someone had said we were going to play the last game at home and a win would win the league, I think everybody would have signed for it,” he said.

“So we know what we have to do. We play at home and it is always good if you can win a title at home.”

LAST DAY

Things are not always as straightforward as they seem though. United have been involved in four last-day deciders, the first of which, in 1995, left a bitter taste for the Reds but could now offer some encouragement.

Blackburn Rovers went into their final fixture at Liverpool two points above United that year and needing a win to make certain of the title but were beaten 2-1 at Anfield.