Is this the biggest match of the Premier League era?

Alex Ferguson has no doubt.

Tonight’s Manchester derby is, the Scot reckons, the biggest ever. It’s hard to argue.

Three points in front but with an inferior goal difference, defeat for United at the Etihad Stadium would see Ferguson’s men surrender the title initiative to their noisy neighbours with just two games left. A draw would keep United on course to retain the title while a victory would all but end City’s hopes of winning a first championship since 1968.