Sir Alex Fergusons fighters feeling battle weary
Sir Alex Ferguson has seen Manchester Uniteds famed battling qualities called into question this season United's Premier League title isnt the only thing on the line on Sunday but also their crown as comeback kings.
One final twist in an incredible season would mark yet another historic turnaround in Sir Alex Fergusons 25-year Old Trafford reign.
But should the champions relinquish their trophy at the Stadium of Light then Ferguson is sure to rue a campaign in which their legendary powers of recovery have been found wanting.
Amazingly, United have failed to win any league match in which they were behind this season.
In the games in which they conceded first, they have only managed to pick up a total of three points from a possible 24.
That is a remarkable statistic considering some of Fergusons finest moments at United have been built on dramatic comebacks.
From the Champions League final in 1999 when Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer overturned Bayern Munichs 1-0 lead in injury time, to Steve Bruces late double against Sheffield Wednesday en-route to Fergies first title in 93, his teams have been famed for never knowing when they are beaten. But despite recovering from being 3-0 down at Chelsea in February to earn a point, United have struggled to battle back when falling behind.
Javier Hernandez struck in the last 10 minutes to snatch a 1-1 draw away at Liverpool back in October.
The 4-4 draw with Everton was the only other time United have picked up anything when going a goal down this season but Ferguson will look on that match as two points dropped considering his side held leads at 3-1 and 4-2.
Uniteds five defeats have all come when going behind against City twice (6-1 and 1-0), Blackburn (3-2), Newc! astle (3 -0) and Wigan (1-0).
They are alarming figures for Ferguson to assess regardless of what happens on Sunday.
They also pose something of a contrast to the resolve United showed in keeping pace with City when Roberto Mancinis side looked set to run away with the title earlier in the season.
Fergusons team picked up vital wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham in the second half of the campaign and even stormed to an eight-point lead at the top of the table at Easter.
But defeats to Wigan and City, as well as the draw with Everton has seen that advantage disintegrate and leaves them on the verge of seeing their title head across Manchester to the Etihad.
Ferguson has always prided himself in building teams with a stubborn streak, which were best embodied in players like Bryan Robson, Paul Ince, Roy Keane and Bruce.
In each of Fergies 12 title-winning campaigns, he could point to vital matches that United managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Ironically, they began this campaign doing just that when beating City 3-2 in the Community Shield after trailing 2-0 at half-time.
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It would represent a comeback of a different kind, but Ferguson is hoping United can salvage their title challenge at the death against Sunderland.
He knows that City will have to drop points at home to QPR to give his side an! y hope o f winning a record 20th championship but first they must do their job against Martin ONeills men.
Ferguson hopes to have Danny Welbeck back after the England international missed last weeks win against Swansea following an ankle injury in the derby defeat to City. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Sunderland and has established himself as the first-choice partner for Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.
Jonny Evans, who also spent a loan spell on Wearside, looks set to miss out after missing Uniteds last two games with a foot injury, meaning Chris Smalling is likely to partner Rio Ferdinand in the centre of defence.
The game will also see Ferguson reunited with several United old boys, including John OShea, Wes Brown, Phil Bardsley and Fraizer Campbell.
But OShea has already warned his former mentor that he will not be given an easy ride at the Stadium of Light.
And defender Matt Kilgallon has echoed those sentiments, saying: It will be a great game to be part of.
They are going for the championship, it will be live on TV and it certainly wont feel like an end-of-season game more like one at the start of a season.
The lads have to be ready for it, but I think were a much better team when the opposition is coming at us at a high tempo and we have to defend for our lives.
We are good at breaking on teams.
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One final twist in an incredible season would mark yet another historic turnaround in Sir Alex Fergusons 25-year Old Trafford reign.
But should the champions relinquish their trophy at the Stadium of Light then Ferguson is sure to rue a campaign in which their legendary powers of recovery have been found wanting.
Amazingly, United have failed to win any league match in which they were behind this season.
In the games in which they conceded first, they have only managed to pick up a total of three points from a possible 24.
That is a remarkable statistic considering some of Fergusons finest moments at United have been built on dramatic comebacks.
From the Champions League final in 1999 when Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer overturned Bayern Munichs 1-0 lead in injury time, to Steve Bruces late double against Sheffield Wednesday en-route to Fergies first title in 93, his teams have been famed for never knowing when they are beaten. But despite recovering from being 3-0 down at Chelsea in February to earn a point, United have struggled to battle back when falling behind.
Javier Hernandez struck in the last 10 minutes to snatch a 1-1 draw away at Liverpool back in October.
The 4-4 draw with Everton was the only other time United have picked up anything when going a goal down this season but Ferguson will look on that match as two points dropped considering his side held leads at 3-1 and 4-2.
Uniteds five defeats have all come when going behind against City twice (6-1 and 1-0), Blackburn (3-2), Newc! astle (3 -0) and Wigan (1-0).
They are alarming figures for Ferguson to assess regardless of what happens on Sunday.
They also pose something of a contrast to the resolve United showed in keeping pace with City when Roberto Mancinis side looked set to run away with the title earlier in the season.
Fergusons team picked up vital wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham in the second half of the campaign and even stormed to an eight-point lead at the top of the table at Easter.
But defeats to Wigan and City, as well as the draw with Everton has seen that advantage disintegrate and leaves them on the verge of seeing their title head across Manchester to the Etihad.
Ferguson has always prided himself in building teams with a stubborn streak, which were best embodied in players like Bryan Robson, Paul Ince, Roy Keane and Bruce.
In each of Fergies 12 title-winning campaigns, he could point to vital matches that United managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Ironically, they began this campaign doing just that when beating City 3-2 in the Community Shield after trailing 2-0 at half-time.
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It would represent a comeback of a different kind, but Ferguson is hoping United can salvage their title challenge at the death against Sunderland.
He knows that City will have to drop points at home to QPR to give his side an! y hope o f winning a record 20th championship but first they must do their job against Martin ONeills men.
Ferguson hopes to have Danny Welbeck back after the England international missed last weeks win against Swansea following an ankle injury in the derby defeat to City. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Sunderland and has established himself as the first-choice partner for Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.
Jonny Evans, who also spent a loan spell on Wearside, looks set to miss out after missing Uniteds last two games with a foot injury, meaning Chris Smalling is likely to partner Rio Ferdinand in the centre of defence.
The game will also see Ferguson reunited with several United old boys, including John OShea, Wes Brown, Phil Bardsley and Fraizer Campbell.
But OShea has already warned his former mentor that he will not be given an easy ride at the Stadium of Light.
And defender Matt Kilgallon has echoed those sentiments, saying: It will be a great game to be part of.
They are going for the championship, it will be live on TV and it certainly wont feel like an end-of-season game more like one at the start of a season.
The lads have to be ready for it, but I think were a much better team when the opposition is coming at us at a high tempo and we have to defend for our lives.
We are good at breaking on teams.
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