United’s reign as Barclays Premier League champions is over, despite a battling victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, as Manchester City took the title on goal difference in the cruellest of fashions.

Wayne Rooney’s early header ensured United ended the season on 89 points, and it looked as though Sir Alex’s men were destined for an unlikely triumph as City struggled against 10-man QPR at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues trailed 2-1 going into injury-time, only for quickfire strikes from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero to end City’s 44-year wait to become champions. In a remarkable turnaround, United were champions when the game finished at the Stadium of Light, only for City’s late comeback to snatch the title a minute later.

City’s win over Mark Hughes’ side meant the only other way United could retain the title was by bagging double figures against the Black Cats. Though a handful of chances went begging, Rooney’s early header was the only time Sir Alex Ferguson’s side beat Simon Mignolet.

There was a surprise starter in the United ranks, as Jonny Evans rejoined Rio Ferdinand in the centre of defence, despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s confirmation that the Northern Ireland international would require ankle surgery over the summer.

Despite United’s greater need and obvious urgency in possession, it was the hosts who had the first two efforts of the game. James McClean’s dribbling effort forced little work from David De Gea, who was exercised harder by David Vaughan’s powerful effort from 25 yards.

Date, time and coverage
Sunday 13 May 2012, 15:00 BST kick-off.

Form guide
The win against Swansea last weekend was only United’s second in the last five games and the slip has happened at a crucial time in terms of the title race. The defeat at Manchester City has, as expected, been extremely costly and left the champions on the brink of relinquishing the crown. Sunderland have not won in eight matches after an initial upsurge in form prompted by Martin O’Neill’s appointment. The FA Cup exit against Everton seemed to have a psychological effect on the team although, to be fair, the next outing was the 3-3 draw at Manchester City when the North-East side came agonisingly close to pulling off a remarkable away victory.

Ins and outs
Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck miss out against the club where they spent loan spells and Chris Smalling has also been ruled out with a serious groin injury. Rio Ferdinand is expected to be fit to partner Phil Jones at the heart of the defence while Anders Lindegaard could be set for the bench after a couple of outings for the Reserves. Sunderland are without Kieran Richardson and Sebastian Larsson while Wes Brown is also a major doubt. Martin O’Neill has plenty of options in goal with Craig Gordon, Simon Mignolet and Kieren Westwood all vying for the gloves.

Last meeting
United’s 1-0 win was overshadowed by the celebrations marking Sir Alex’s 25th anniversary as manager of the club and the unveiling of the new naming of the North Stand in his honour. Wes Brown’s unfortunate own goal at the end of the first half proved to be the difference between the two teams although Steve Bruce, who was manager at 

The odds of Manchester United winning the Barclays Premier League this weekend may be slim, but Reds stand-in skipper Patrice Evra says he’s still confident of getting his hands on the trophy.

United and Manchester City head into Sunday’s final round of fixtures level on points, but City’s vastly superior goal difference – and a home game against relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers – means the Blues are heavy favourites to clinch a first league title in 44 years.

Despite that, Evra insists he won’t give up hope as United prepare to travel to Sunderland to face Martin O’Neill’s side at the Stadium of Light.

“At the beginning of the week, the team was really down,” Evra admitted. “And we were really down before the game against Swansea last weekend because we expected a little miracle from Newcastle. But it didn’t happen.

Wayne Rooney has landed his second  Player of the Month award this season after fans on the club’s seven official websites voted the striker April’s star man.

Rooney notched five goals last month, including two crucial penalties in victories over Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa, and a brace against his former club, Everton.

The fans weren’t unanimous in their decision, though: Rooney, who also picked up the award in August, notched 34 per cent of April’s vote, just edging out midfielder Paul Scholes (27 per cent) and Michael Carrick (20 per cent) in one of our tightest Player of the Month polls to date.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville says his old club will continue to fight for the Barclays Premier League title, despite conceding pole position to Manchester City on Monday night.

The Blues’ 1-0 win over United at the Etihad Stadium sent them back to the top of the table on goal difference, with just two games to play. Should City beat both Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers they will become English champions for the first time since 1968.

“Sir Alex Ferguson has rightly said that the title has slipped away,” Neville said . “But you can only keep going. That’s all you can do in football.”

And although the destiny of the silveware is now in City’s hands, Roberto Mancini’s men face a tricky test next Sunday when they travel to Newcastle to take on one of the league’s form sides. Nothing, Gary Neville insists, is certain yet.

United spurned the chance to all but seal a 20th league title with victory against neighbours Manchester City on Monday night.

Instead, a goal on the stroke of half-time by Vincent Kompany handed the Blues three points and the advantage in this thrilling title race.

Now, with just two games to play, both sides are level on 83 points. But City boast a vastly superior goal difference and are hot favourites to collect a first league title since 1968.

Nothing’s decided yet, mind you. Roberto Mancini’s men still face a tricky trip to Newcastle next weekend before welcoming relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers to the Etihad on the final day of the season.

Judging by the scenes at the final whistle on Monday night, though, City fans are convinced their long wait for domestic supremacy is over. They certainly won this battle at the Etihad, as United struggled to create any clear-cut chances.

Date, time and coverage
Sunday 22 April 2012, 12:30 BST kick-off.

Form guide
The 4-0 victory over Aston Villa re-established United’s five-point lead at the top over rivals Manchester City, keeping the destiny of the title in the Reds’ own hands. Everton come to Old Trafford on the back of a late loss in the FA Cup semi-final to rivals Liverpool. The Tofffees have, however, been in impressive league form over the past month, winning three out of their last four, scoring eight goals and conceding just two.

Ins and outs
Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to recall Paul Scholes and Rafael after the Wigan defeat paid dividends last weekend. Nani is also pushing for inclusion from the start after a goalscoring cameo appearance against Villa. Everton will be able to welcome back the effervescent Steven Pienaar against the Reds after he was cup-tied last week. However, the possible absence of left-back Leighton Baines is a blow.

Sir Alex Ferguson admits he’s “had a word” with Ashley Young about going down too easily inside the penalty area, although maintains referee Mark Halsey was right to award United an early penalty against Aston Villa last weekend.

When Young went to ground under a challenge from Villa defender Ciaran Clark, Halsey had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Villa players were incensed by the decision and argued the United’s winger had made the most out of minimal contact. It’s been a hot topic for debate in newspapers and on television ever since.

Sir Alex acknowledged at the time that Young, a player who arrived at Old Trafford last summer from Aston Villa, “overdid it” and took “a dramatic fall”. But he also maintained Clark had committed a foul.

The players may have done the hard work on the pitch to get Manchester United close to claiming a 20th league title, but Sir Bobby Charlton feels much of the turn around at the top of the table is down to Sir Alex Ferguson’s influence.

For much of the season United have played the role of chasers in the title race, behind Manchester City. But fortunes have changed for both sides in recent weeks with United taking over pole position and moving to within just two wins of reclaiming the championship crown.

Sir Bobby has been hugely impressed by the team’s recovery since the 6-1 derby defeat back in October and he has paid tribute to Sir Alex’s ability to inspire his players since that awful day.

Manchester United Reserves were confirmed as Barclays Premier League Reserve North champions on Monday night – with four games left to play.

Three points, dramatically won away to Newcastle United, were enough to put nearest rivals Liverpool out of the picture and ensure Warren Joyce’s side are top dogs in the region again, with a national play-off against southern champions Aston Villa to relish.

The on-fire Will Keane cracked in four goals and was joined on the scoresheet by Italian midfielder Davide Petrucci and Belgian defender Ritchie De Laet as the Reds rallied from 3-0 down to win 6-3 at Whitley Park. It was the second time this season that Joyce’s team had put six past Newcastle – the home match in January ended 6-0.