Premier League title race: Sir Alex Ferguson backs Liverpool to beat Man City because of Manchester United derby

The former United manager believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will take points off their Manchester rivals next Wednesday and ultimately cost them the title, according to Jonathan Walters

Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Liverpool to win the Premier League title – because he expects Manchester United to take points off Manchester City in next week’s derby clash.

United and City meet at Old Trafford next Wednesday in their rearranged Premier League clash which could have serious ramifications in the title race. While City know that victory in their remaining five league games will see them retain the title, any slip-up puts Liverpool in pole position to claim their first in 29 years.

Liverpool currently lead City but two points having played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s side, but if United can at least draw next Wednesday’s encounter, then the Anfield outfit would be just four wins from the title.

And that is how Ferguson expects the title race to pan out, even if it results in his fiercest rivals finally getting their hands on the Premier League trophy.

According to recently retired football Jonathan Walters, Ferguson made his prediction to former teammate Phil Bardsley as the two discussed the final weeks of the season.

“I was chatting with Phil Bardsley and I'm gonna drop a name here, he was sat with Sir Alex Ferguson,” Walters told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily Podcast.

“He sat with him and he thinks Liverpool are going win it.

“He thinks Liverpool because he thinks United will get something out of the City game.”

Ferguson has over things to worry about before the City game as the former United manager joined the squad in flying to Barcelona ahead of the club’s crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg, where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side must overturn a 1-0 deficit if they are to reach the semi-finals of Europe for the first time in eight years.

On that occasion, it was Ferguson who led United against Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League final – where Lionel Messi inspired Barca to a 3-1 victory – and United’s task is arguably the toughest in the quarter-finals this week given that Barcelona have not lost at home in Europe in six years.