• Premier League

United's title before Manchester derby - Neville

ESPN staff
April 4, 2012
Phil Neville expects Manchester United to clinch a 20th league title © PA Photos
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Phil Neville is backing his former club Manchester United to have the Premier League title sewn up before the Manchester derby with rivals City on April 30.

The current Everton captain, who racked up six league titles over a 10-year spell at Old Trafford, believes United are hitting peak form at just the right time and will wrap up a 20th league success prior to the eagerly-awaited showdown at Eithad Stadium.

Neville told BBC Radio Manchester's Red Wednesday: "I think the title will be over before that game at the Etihad. It's not the [derby] games that are going to win you the title, it's the games against the likes of Blackburn, Swansea and Sunderland.

"I always think it's at this stage of the season you see the true spirit and true quality in title-winning teams. At the moment, Manchester United are doing that better than City. City go to Arsenal next, which is such a difficult game. It's all going in Manchester United's favour at the moment, and they've got the experience."

"They've had to raise the bar because Manchester City have been fantastic this season. United have had to go up not just a couple of gears but three or four gears, in the first half of the season just to stay close to them.

"I always think it's at this stage of the season you see the true spirit and true quality in title-winning teams. United have prepared all season for March, April, May and you're now seeing a team that's bang in form - full of confidence, everyone fit - who I think are worthy champions."

City humiliated their neighbours with a 6-1 mauling in the first Manchester derby of the season at Old Trafford in October, but Neville reckons Roberto Mancini's side have placed too much emphasis on the return fixture.

"About a month ago, everyone looked at the game at the Etihad and thought that's the game where the title will be won, and I think even [City boss] Roberto Mancini said it," he said. "I looked at the fixture list and thought the title could be over, because you start dropping points in between."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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