Before the reverse derby fixture in Manchester, Red Devils were a massive 15 points clear of their rivals Manchester city at the top of the Premier league table. But after the derby result the gap was reduced to 12 points after City pipped United 2-1 at Old Trafford. Thanks to Sergio Aguero’s 78th minute strike coming of the bench. With this victory City repeated their feat of consecutive wins at the Theatre Of Dreams after 1972. 12 points gap may still be huge to overturn but the defeat for United bought back those jittering moments of last years title race to some of the United fans. The nervousness is well understood after united threw away its 8 point lead at the similar time last year with 6 games left. The History may repeat itself if United fail to win at the Britannia stadium on 14th April and lose their two or three upcoming fixtures.
With 7 more games to go this season the game against Stoke City and their next game against the Hammers may lay the foundation for the title celebrations or the start of a nervous run of games for the devils. Stoke City are already struggling in the league sitting 15th on the table with only 3 points adrift the relegation zone. Trip to Stoke City has always been a tough fixture for United and Tony Pulis’s side will be desperate to take something from the game making it even more tough for the Red Devils.
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Comparing the United’s fixture list with that of City’s, United Surely has tougher run of games to play than city.
April 17: West Ham (a)
After Stoke City United face West Ham where they saw their title hopes ended at Upton Park in 1992 and 1995, rarely enjoying a stress-free visit.
April 22: Aston Villa (h)
Next comes relegation threatened Aston Villa. Again any nervy moments and they will pounce on this opportunity. After all who wants to be in the relegation zone.
April 28: Arsenal (a)
Then comes the visit to the emirates where Gunners have picked up their pace and are vying for the champions league spot. United may seal the league but the gunners may spoil their dream.
May 4: Chelsea (h)
Chelsea are the most Unpredictable side this season. But may threaten United’s Title charge with winning at Old Trafford. They definitely have that material in them, but the question remains can they show it?
May 12: Swansea (h)
A brand new force under Michael Laudrup winning League Cup this season has a potential to make an upset which they did to City last season
May 19: West Brom (a)
If the title race goes to the last day then this game will remind Sir Alex of the last season’s heartbreak and then the City’s position may again decide the winners.
Sir Alex pointed out the importance of this fixture saying:
We have a job to do,” . “The incentives are there for ourselves in the sense that we’ve only got seven games left.
“The challenge is there for Stoke as well. I don’t think they will go down but, nonetheless, they’re in a precarious situation because, down the bottom of that league, you don’t pick up a lot of points. I think they’ll get enough to get out.
“I don’t think we should look at our position in terms of being 12 points clear. What matters is winning on Sunday and we need to do that. As we always do, we should just try to do our best. We have a job to do on Sunday and we need to do it.”
United have been given a boost in terms of their injury status with Captain Nemanja Vidic, defenders Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling all have started training with Paul Scholes available for the Sunday’s game. United now need to churn out the results if not winning them convincingly. With 10 points still needed from 7 games remaining they have to start it from the trip to the Potters. If they fail to do it then they may have to pay for it.
