Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini recently claimed that the opposition were too scared of United and hence they were not putting their total effort into the match. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, though, has rejected the criticism by saying that it was a load of nonsense. He has said that Mancini was just looking for self-sympathy with such statements. Incidentally, Ferguson suggested back in 1996 – when United were involved in the title race with Newcastle United – that the opposition were not putting their total effort against Newcastle.

Manchester United have been in imperious form over the course of the 2012-13 season. They are on course to beat Chelsea’s record of 95 points in a single Premier league season. United currently have a 15 point advantage over City in the table with only six matches remaining, although Mancini’s men do have a game in hand. Even after the 2-1 win over United at Old Trafford, Mancini suggested that his team were not back in the title race.

Ferguson also criticised the postseason matches scheduled by both Manchester City and Chelsea. Both teams will be playing against each other in a postseason match, which is seen as an exercise to generate additional revenue for the club.

“We all recognise the English game is the most honest in the world. There are a lot of games I’ve watched this season, when I’ve said to myself ‘are they trying?’ – of course they’re trying. These teams have 3,000 fans following them away from home. There is no way they could come to Old Trafford and not do their best. That also applies itself to the Etihad, Stamford Bridge, the Emirates or Anfield,” said Ferguson. United were not extremely good, but they came away with three points from the weekend’s match against Stoke City.