Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Manchester United not to rely on old
rivals Arsenal doing them a title favour this weekend.
If the Gunners beat Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday,
United would be crowned champions providing they had collected at
least a point from the Manchester derby at City 24 hours
earlier.
The scenario is wholly plausible given the tiredness Chelsea have
been showing in recent weeks and the desire of Arsene Wenger's men
to at least end a difficult campaign on a high note.
But equally, Ferguson is aware that if his own side suffer a fourth
defeat in five trips to their neighbours this weekend, they will
offer Chelsea an opportunity to seize the initiative by beating
Arsenal to set up a decisive meeting with United at Stamford Bridge
next Wednesday.
Having abandoned plans to fly to Zaragoza in order to watch young
defender Gerard Pique in action for the La Liga outfit, Ferguson
probably will now watch the action unfold at Arsenal on
television.
However, the Scot is eager to ensure his own side do their jobs
properly rather than plunge him into a situation where he is left
to cross his fingers for a favour from Wenger.
"The name of the game for us is to win our games, that is the only
way we can think," said Ferguson.
"We cannot rely on anyone else. That would be the wrong attitude. I
don't know what Chelsea are going to do but if we lose tomorrow and
they win their last three games, they will win the league. That is
why all we should do is concentrate on beating City."
Ferguson is still assessing potential changes to his starting
line-up, with Rio Ferdinand, Alan Smith, Louis Saha and Patrice
Evra all likely to be involved after missing the crushing Champions
League semi-final defeat to AC Milan.
Although it could be argued the hype surrounding a derby clash is
exactly what United need to aid their recovery from their dismal
showing in the San Siro, Ferguson feels history suggests his team
would bounce back strongly no matter what the opposition.
"No-one likes to lose, especially in the semi-final of a European
tie," he said.
"But it is something we have experienced before. Footballers have
defeats, you have to recover from them. Historically, during my
time here, we have done that very well.
"The players know City will want to put one over on us and try to
prevent us winning the league.
"But these are all things that make it a bigger incentive for
us."
United's chances appear to have received a significant lift by the
midweek training-ground scrap that has cost City the services of
both Joey Barton and Ousmane Dabo.
With takeover speculation continuing to rumble on and a chronic
lack of home goals which will ensure the Blues enter the record
books for the lowest number in a Premiership season if they fail to
score, City appear to be there for the taking.
However, as Ferguson has found out to his cost on too many
occasions, the Blues can be difficult opponents to overcome.
"A derby game is never easy," he said.
"You cannot legislate for some of the things that happen in
them.
"I don't pay a lot of attention to what is happening at City but I
don't think it will affect the players that Barton is
missing.
"Once the game starts, what has happened during the week will be
lost to them and whoever replaces Barton will be delighted to be
playing."
With their treble hopes gone, Ferguson's team are refocusing on
what would be a fourth domestic double.
And, although the disappointment of their failure to cope with
Milan will linger for some time, the United boss is not straying
from his pre-season assertion that any season which brings some
silverware can be regarded as successful.
"It is difficult to prioritise competitions given the way our
league is," he said.
"You just hope at the end of the campaign you come out with some
silverware. If you win one trophy you should be delighted."