Sir Alex Ferguson's (left) Man United and Roberto Mancini's Man City are set for a mouthwatering clash. Agence France-Presse

English Premier League crown could be decided in thrilling derby confrontation, AFP reports

The defining plot twist of the most enthralling title race in years could be written on Monday as Manchester City attempts to seize control of its Premier League destiny against leader Manchester United.

Three weeks ago, United already had one hand on a record 20th title after City's defeat at Arsenal left Sir Alex Ferguson's team a hefty eight points clear with only six games remaining.

But a poor run of results from United, which has seen it take only four points from a possible nine, has suddenly given City the chance to put itself back in pole position as the finish line looms into view.

City manager Roberto Mancini has insisted he still expects United to win the league, citing the champion's experience in closing out title run-ins.

"I probably expect us to lose to Manchester United," Mancini said last week. "Their players are used to playing under pressure every year. But we don't have any pressure as we have no chance of winning."

Mancini's downbeat public utterances are unlikely to fool anyone: the Italian knows his expensively-assembled side can return to the top of the table with a victory on Monday.

Wins at Newcastle and at home to Queens Park Rangers would then guarantee City the league crown, provided United is unable to make up its rival's significant advantage in goal difference, which stands at plus six.

Arguably United's biggest asset in what promises to be a nerve-shredding occasion on Monday is its manager.

After 25 years at Old Trafford, little fazes Ferguson and the 70-year-old is relishing the challenge from an opponent whose seemingly limitless wealth makes it the biggest threat to United's position at the summit of the English game.

Ferguson has calmly noted the title is still United's to lose, and a draw at Eastlands on Monday would leave his team in control. City, who must win, has no such margin for error.

"We know the exact situation we are in here," Ferguson said. "We are in a better position than Manchester City.

"We can get two results, they can only get one. They have to win. We can draw or we can win, although you know my attitude and the club's attitude. We will be trying to win."

United has already demonstrated that it has the know-how to get a result at a ground where City has dropped just two points all season, winning January's FA Cup third-round tie 3-2.

Yet Ferguson must be concerned by the sudden frailty of a United defense that was punctured repeatedly by Everton last weekend in a 4-4 draw.

City, who humiliated United 6-1 at Old Trafford in October, has rattled in 12 goals in its past three games, and its nimble strikeforce of Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez will fancy its chances of adding to that haul if Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans have another off-day.

Of all the storylines to emerge from this year's Premier League page-turner, it is the re-emergence of Tevez that is potentially the most compelling.

Ostracized by Mancini after his infamous refusal to warm up during the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich in September, the former United striker then disappeared to Argentina for three months of unauthorized leave.

Mancini, who had previously said Tevez would never play for the club again, has been forced to reverse his stance during the run-in, particularly after ill-discipline saw Mario Balotelli sidelined for three games.

Tevez has responded to his recall by delivering goals, adding an injection of verve to a City forward line that had been struggling to reproduce its scintillating early season form.

Ferguson was cool about the possible impact of Tevez, who has scored three times in five previous games against United, on Monday's derby.

"We have not watched the games a lot, but he scored a hat-trick," Ferguson said. "That is an impact.

"We will just have to wait and see what he does on Monday."

AFP

(China Daily 04/29/2012 page12)