‘We’re clutching at straws a little bit’

ALEX FERGUSON’S admission that Manchester United are “clutching at straws” wasn’t an early attempt at mind games ahead of the Premier League’s final day denouement next weekend, it was rather more a stark admission of the facts.

Chelsea’s first title in four years is within the London club’s grasp. Even in a season that has contained as many twists and turns as this one, it would take a huge upset for United to pip them at this stage, even though their comfortable 1-0 victory at Sunderland at least makes Carlo Ancelotti’s side wait for another seven days to be crowned champions.

“All we can do is to win our game next week,” conceded Ferguson after Nani’s first-half goal sealed three points that should have been embellished by a far more handsome margin of victory. Trailing the leaders as they do by a point with a vastly inferior goal-difference, United must beat Stoke City, who were humbled 7-0 last month at Stamford Bridge, and hope that Wigan Athletic pull-off an almighty shock in west London to hand United a fourth consecutive Premier League crown, and their 19th top flight title. Both would be records in English football.