Antonio Valencia admits Manchester United are 'worried' about throwing away the Premier League title

Manchester City closed the gap to 12 points with victory at Old Trafford on Monday

Rio Ferdinand looks dejected after Sergio Aguero's winner at Old Trafford (GETTY IMAGES)

Antonio Valencia has admitted Manchester United are “worried” about the potential for throwing away their massive advantage at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Manchester City's win at Old Trafford on Monday has kept alive their slim hopes of retaining the title.

It would still require a staggering sequence of results for United to lose their advantage.

After all, three wins and a draw from their final seven games would be enough, and three of those remaining matches are at Old Trafford, with relegation-threatened Aston Villa and a Swansea side seemingly cruising towards the end of the season amongst the visitors.

Nevertheless, the memory of how United managed to lose the title from a seemingly impregnable position last term has injected an element of insecurity.

"We're a little worried," Valencia told Ecuadorian radio station Sonorama.

"Last year, we were eight points with six games to go and we lost the league. Now it is 12 points and seven games, and we don't want it to happen again."

United visit Stoke on Sunday, with a trip to West Ham to follow on Wednesday.

Victory in those matches would leave the Red Devils within touching distance of a record 20th championship, with Valencia eager to play some part after making only a fleeting appearance as a substitute against City.

"They're the manager's decisions, but I was still a bit upset," said Valencia.

"In such an important game, to be not taken into account as a starter was upsetting."

PA