Down but not out

Former Manchester United star Clayton Blackmore is desperate for another twist in the tail-end of the title race after the Reds' defeat to their City rivals.

"With nothing to play for, sometimes that makes it easier for them to play because they have no pressure on them and it can be a harder game. "
Clayton Blackmore Quotes of the week

City jumped above United with a 1-0 victory in the Manchester derby on Monday night with their superior goal difference putting them in pole position to clinch the title with two games remaining.

However they face testing fixtures against two teams with plenty still to play for. First up City play Newcastle at St James Park on Sunday with the Toon fighting for Champions League qualification, and then they host QPR, who are battling relegation, on the final day of the season.

United, meanwhile, face Swansea and Sunderland, both of whom are secure in their mid-table status and free from the added tensions or motivations of season-defining fixtures.

Unpredictable

"Most of the Manchester United fans and players will be hoping for another twist," he told Sky Sports News. "The way the season has gone - and you only have to look at the Chelsea and Barcelona game - anything can happen in football. Hopefully there will be another twist.

"There are a couple of big games left for both teams; we have a couple of games we have to win as well.

"With nothing to play for, sometimes that makes it easier for them to play because they have no pressure on them and it can be a harder game. They just play it as they like and sometimes it is harder to play against teams like that.

"QPR need to win at least one of their last two games to stay up and everybody knows Newcastle have been very strong at home this season. They did well against us and beat us, so hopefully they can do us a favour."

Negative

Blackmore admitted United's tactics at the Etihad Stadium backfired as City took a strangehold on the game after Vincent Kompany's goal.

"The way we set up was pretty much like we did when we were 3-0 up against them in the FA Cup at half time," he said. "It was really to hit them on the break but City did so well in the first half, it made it difficult for us to get out. They had the momentum going forward so it made it very difficult for us to get out and attack them."

Asked if he thought the result, along with City's thumping win at Old Trafford earlier in the season, represented a shift in the supremacy within the city, Blackmore said: "Not quite. We all know how much money they have spent this season and last year.

"I remember the time when we used to beat Liverpool all the time but then they would win the league. Just beating one team a couple of times does not mean you are the top team."