It is, as Sky keeps reminding us, the "most amazing weekend ever" since, well, the last time it told us that. But aside from the hype, this is not actually the first time two clubs have gone into the final weekend of the league season level on points at the top of the table and so evenly matched you would struggle to get a cigarette paper between them. And Manchester United supporters of a certain generation - or, at least, those who have chosen not to airbrush it from the club's history - could be forgiven for feeling an unnerving sense of deja vu.

On Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson's players will go to Wigan Athletic hoping to see off Chelsea in a title race which, more than anything, has become a feat of endurance. It is the first time for 40 years that the leading sides have been separated by nothing more than a simple formula with 90 minutes to play. Then, as now, United were one of the clubs involved, with a European Cup final also on the horizon, although then they were still a semi-final second leg away. But the similarities do not end there. In 1968 Sir Matt Busby was missing his star striker, Denis Law, through injury; now Ferguson is fretting about Wayne Rooney. It was to be a chastening experience - and, again, the last match of the domestic season fell on May 11.

"The situation was clear," recalled Wilf McGuinness, one of Sir Matt Busby's trainers of the time. "We had to win and hope that we got a better result than Manchester City, who were playing at Newcastle. We had a home match against Sunderland, who weren't doing well in the league, and it was expected that we would win. We expected to win and our supporters certainly expected it. So what happened next was, in football terms, a catastrophe for us - a really big shock."

Read the complete story

Sir Alex Ferguson is a huge fan of the Scottish international fullback, and many felt this was the reason why he initially snubbed a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window.

However, when the call from Old Trafford never arrived, the Rangers fullback performed a u-turn and penned a deal at White Hart Lane, yet he insists he was not waiting for Ferguson to make an offer.

"I wasn't holding off for something else as some people suggested," Hutton told The Scotsman.

"I never knew anything about the reported interest from Manchester United. I was only taking my time because I felt it was a massive decision for myself and my family."

JAVIER MASCHERANO’S dismissal in the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday has earned him little sympathy from his Manchester United opponents.

The Argentina international clattered into Paul Scholes for his first booking in the 11th minute of the Premier League match - and then was shown his second yellow card for confronting referee Steve Bennett just before half-time to complain about team-mate Fernando Torres’s caution.

Mascherano’s behaviour came in the wake of Chelsea defender Ashley Cole’s show of petulance to referee Mike Riley last week and the Football Association’s launch of their ’Respect’ campaign - aimed at improving conduct towards officials.

For those reasons alone, he should perhaps have been more careful - and most people in the United camp felt the 23-year-old pressed the self-destruct button.

United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz underlined the Old Trafford opinion, saying: "The boy seemed to be looking for trouble."

Read the complete story

Rafa Benitez believes that Liverpool are finally ready to defeat their bitterest rivals - thanks to the man he dubs the new Roy Keane.

The Spanish coach has only ever tasted victory over Manchester United once in England.

Peter Crouch's goal in an FA Cup win in 2006 was the only time a Liverpool player has scored against United under Benitez in eight attempts.

But now the Anfield boss believes the psychological hold United clearly have over his team can be released.

AdvertisementAnd it is midfielder Javier Mascherano - a player United tried to sign - who he believes will hold the key in a game that could go a long way to deciding the destination of this season's title.

Benitez sees a lot of Roy Keane in the Argentine, and he stressed his importance to Liverpool when he said: "Javier gives us balance and leadership.

"Like Roy Keane he is a player with a strong character and like him, he could be a very important leader for us in the future.

"What impresses about him is his attitude. He has developed already and when he understands the language even more he will become even more of a leader, which is what we need.

"In terms of winning a game with his attacking actions, that is not Mascherano's role. But in terms of the balance he brings to the side, he is our key player. He gives players like Torres and Gerrard the freedom in attack. That will be important at Manchester United."

Read the complete story

This is Manchester United's best chance to go three points ahead of Arsenal when they welcome the visit of Bolton to Old Trafford. As it is now thjey have a game more than Arsenal as well as superior goal difference. And given the form Ronaldo is in scoring in almost every game, they can look to go three points clear at the top now.

Ben Foster is likely to stay in goal as Edvin van Der Sar is out with a groin injury. Tomasz Kuszczak is available again after serving a suspension for his red card but is likely to pave the way for Ben Foster in goal.

Manchester United has a score to settle against Bolton as they won twice at Old Trafford during Sam Allardyce's reign and also won at the Reebok Stadium earlier in the season courtesy of Nicolas Anelka's goal. But Nicolas Anelka has moved to Chelsea and it looks unlikely Bolton can get a win much less a draw here this time around.

Bolton goes into this match in very poor form having lost their last four games and find themselves in the bottom three with 25 points. Gary Megson will conduct a late fitness test on captain Kevin Nolan and central defender Gary Tim Cahill before naming his final side as they duo are not 100% fit.

Watch the duo of Ronaldo as well as Wayne Rooney to get the goals here and Carlos Tevez should also feature at some point as they will face Liverpool this weekend.

The 27-year-old is fighting United’s Cristiano Ronaldo this season for the European Golden Boot award, after finding the back of the net 20 times from just 19 La Liga starts for Sevilla.

Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly had the Brazilian watched on several occasions this term, and he has seen enough to make him a target for when the summer transfer window opens.

Real Madrid are also keen on Fabiano, who is also owned by Global Sports Investment, but the Reds will fight the Bernabeu giants all the way for a player who could be available for as little as £8million.

The old saying ‘It never rains but it pours’ could not be more applicable to Derby as following their 6-1 mauling at the hands of Chelsea, Paul Jewell’s doomed side must host Premier League top scorers Manchester United on Saturday.

There has been precious little pride at Pride Park this season as The Rams have still not won a game under Jewell and lie marooned on just ten measly points at the bottom of the table after a season of embarrassing proportions.

Statistics can be illuminating but facts such as Manchester United have only won two of their six Premier League trips to Derby are misleading: This is one of the biggest mismatches of any season in any league.

It would perhaps be unfair to suggest that United’s Premier League record 9-0 win over Ipswich is in danger, but for Derby’s tremendous fans even a goal will be seen as a minor victory in the context of a campaign that started poorly, and only got worse.

If United do take all three points then they will overtake Arsenal at the top of the table before The Gunners play Middlesbrough at Emirates Stadium later in the day. Worryingly for those in North London, United have won The Premier League in every season that they have won at Derby.

Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to hand a first team debut to Ben Foster after his return to fitness as Tomasz Kuszczak is suspended and Edwin van der Sar injured after the disappointing FA Cup defeat to Portsmouth last weekend.

Derby are without long term injury victims Giles Barnes (knee), Danny Mills (knee), Claude Davis (knee) and Tyrone Mears (calf).

Prediction: 0-5

The game will mark the 25th anniversary of the Dons winning the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983.

A sell-out crowd is expected for the tie, which will be a highlight of a series of testimonial events to honour the victory.

Sir Alex led Aberdeen to three Scottish championships, four Scottish Cups, one League Cup, the Cup Winners' Cup and the European Super Cup.

Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson, the ex-West Bromwich Albion, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United boss, could make a sensational return to Old Trafford.
The 51-year-old former England skipper is being earmarked for a full-time ambassadorial role at United, similar to that filled by Sir Bobby Charlton, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Bryan Robson spent 13 years at Old Trafford, playing almost 500 games and scoring and 99 goals before leaving the club in May 1994.

Sir Alex Ferguson recently announced that he probably has three more year left in him as Manchester United boss, and given his fantastic service with the Premier League giants and just how much he has achieved since he joined them way back in 1986, is it time to start looking at life at Old Traford after Sir Fergie?

After a stuttering start at Old Trafford, Ferguson has gone on to such astonishing success it would be fair to say that he is one of, if not THE, most important football manager to ever ply his trade in the UK.

One of the key things to remember about the former Aberdeen boss's time in Manchester is that it took time for him to get his bearings at the club, time for him to put his stamp on a club that had essentially lost it’s way in terms of real tangible success. Yet he was given time, and the club hasn’t looked back since. It’s interesting to ponder whether such time would have been given to him now in the cut-throat world of Premier League football.

He slugged away for three years which Sir Alex himself stated were "the darkest period [he had] ever suffered in the game." This of course included that 5-1 defeat at the hands of neighbours City among other diabolic performances.

Even now it is hard to believe that for three of his first four seasons the best positions he could manage were outside the top ten. Then the tide turned, and there were any number of turning points and choices that have been cited as reasons for United’s rise to power. Any way you look at it, the trophy count amassed by the former Glasgow shipyard worker is simply phenomenal and is unlikely to be equalled any time soon.

Read the complete story