Anton Ferdinand has made assurances that Sunderland will not be giving out favours to Manchester United
Anton insists United must work to win
Anton Ferdinand has made assurances that his Sunderland team will not be giving out favours against Manchester United.
The Premier League holders know that a win is essential at the Stadium of Light on Sunday if they are to overhaul Chelsea to retain their crown in a battle that may go down to the final week of the season.
With the Blues also set to play Liverpool on Sunday in what could be a title decider should they emerge victorious at Anfield and United lose to the Black Cats, Ferdinand knows the potential pain he could put on his family should his team win.
Anton's brother Rio may take his place in the United defence following injury, but after coming under scrutiny from Chelsea fans after stating he wanted the Red Devils to win the title, the 25-year-old insisted his team will not go down without a fight.
"Rio knows it's not in my make-up to throw away a game," he said.
"He isn't going to expect anything from me."
Irony
There is a strange irony to proceedings when three years ago Anton's West Ham side travelled to Old Trafford to face his brother's team on the final day of the season needing a win to stay up.
Carlos Tevez scored the winner for the visitors that day, with United already crowned champions and having nothing to play for but the FA Cup final a week later, keeping the Hammers in the Premier League.
"When I went to Old Trafford with West Ham to stay up in 2007, I didn't expect him not to have a go at us even though they had the cup final. It was the last game of the season, at their ground," Ferdinand said of his brother's team.
"It is our last game of the season at the Stadium of Light and our fans deserve a performance and, hopefully a win.
"I will give everything if I'm playing on Sunday. Manchester United are used to these run-ins, that's why they have a heads up."
Despite Ferdinand reiterating his desire to see United win the title, he admitted that his team were more than capable of upsetting the odds to deny them a fourth straight league title.
"I want Manchester United to win it because I want my brother to win another trophy, definitely," he added. "But there will be no mixed emotions if we win.
"We did well against them at Old Trafford, and should have won. If you can't take confidence from that, what can you take it from?"
