United title win inevitable, says Hughes

QPR manager Mark Hughes believes there is a “sense of inevitability” about Manchester United retaining the Premier League title — but is determined to cause an upset tomorrow.

Manchester City looked on course for a first league title since 1968 earlier in the season, but Alex Ferguson’s side are now five points clear with seven matches remaining.

An eight-point gap can be opened up over City at the top with an eighth successive league victory, although QPR will be looking to end that run at Old Trafford.

United legend and former City boss Hughes is confident the west Londoners can cause an upset, although he does not expect such a surprise in the title race.

“I think at this stage of the season there is a little bit of a sense of inevitability,” the Welshman said. “United have been in this situation so many times before, City haven’t and I think that can be key in this situation.

“You sense that United are looking at fixtures, taking each game on its merits and just ticking off games they have to play from now until the end of the season.

“Obviously we’re hopeful we’re going to have a performance that will upset that plan in terms of what United expect from the game. We’re not just going there to lie down and lose the game.

“We’ll make it difficult for them but certainly sense, because of the situation and the turnaround that has occurred, United are in the box seat. You would be very surprised if they lost it from the position they find themselves in now.”