• Premier League

Fergie's 'worst nightmare' coming true - Neville

ESPN staff
May 1, 2012
Sir Alex Ferguson may be left to rue missed opportunities © Getty Images
Enlarge

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville says losing the Premier League title to rivals City on goal difference would be Sir Alex Ferguson's "worst nightmare" following their derby defeat on Monday.

The 1-0 defeat at the Etihad, courtesy of Vincent Kompany's header, left the Red Devils second behind City, level on points but eight goals back from their rivals.

"I know - I've been in that changing room for 20 years - it's his worst nightmare," Neville told Sky Sports. "Losing a championship on goal difference is what he always talks about, every single season.

"In January, in February, in March, whatever month it is going for a championship, he will say if you're 1-0, 2-0 up, 'score three, score four'. You never know whether it's going to get to goal difference.

"And you look at games like Fulham at home 1-0, QPR at home 2-0, and it's these sort of things you look back at during a season and think, 'we could we have done more'. It is his worst nightmare."

After the match, City boss Roberto Mancini maintained his stance that United remain favourites because of the sides' respective remaining fixtures. City go to Newcastle next weekend and host QPR on the final day of the season, while United welcome Swansea to Old Trafford before heading to Sunderland.

"For Manchester City, they have one game," Neville said. "I think the QPR game at home, with respect to them, the way they played on Sunday against Chelsea, they're a non-entity.

"It's that game away at Newcastle. Win one match to win a championship and now all the pressure's back on City."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices