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Ferguson’s team are on course to regain the English Premier League crown from their bitter rivals after opening up a massive 15-point lead over champions City.
A victory against Roberto Mancini’s second- placed side would move United to within touching distance of the title, but Ferguson knows City would love to at least delay their neighbours’ 20th championship celebrations by winning on Monday.
And with the finish line in sight, Ferguson is determined to ensure his players don’t rest on their laurels.
“We’ve still got to win the title. We have eight games left. That’s 24 points to play for,” said Ferguson, who hopes to welcome back Wayne Rooney from a groin injury.
“The way we’ve approached things is the correct way and that’s to win the next game, that’s what we’ve always tried to do. Hopefully it takes you to winning the league.
“The important thing is to win Monday’s game. It’ll be a big game for City.
“They’ll want to come and derail us for a spell. I can understand their motivation because we would probably have the same motivation. But we’re at home.
“Our consistency in the league is there for all to see. I expect us to perform really well on Monday.”
United’s lacklustre FA Cup quarter-final replay defeat at Chelsea on Monday, together with the memories of last season’s epic 6-1 win at Old Trafford, should give City encouragement that they can give their old enemies a bloody nose.
And while City’s inconsistent league form looks to have scuppered their hopes of retaining the title, captain Vincent Kompany believes a victory over United would at least salvage some pride.
“A derby is a derby. I don’t think we could care less about the league in that game,” Kompany said.
“It is about who is going to be champions of Manchester, that is all it is.
“I don’t expect Manchester United to be less motivated because they have this points gap between us where they are pretty safe.
“It will be like a one-off game, it will be like a cup final.”
With the title race all but over, the real battles are being fought over the other two positions in the top four and at the bottom of the table.
Third-placed Tottenham host Everton looking to maintain their two-point advantage over fourth placed Chelsea, who face Sunderland at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, while fifth placed Arsenal can keep the pressure on with a win at West Bromwich Albion.
Sunderland’s trip to west London also has significance in the relegation struggle.
The Black Cats are only one point above the bottom three, a perilous position which prompted owner Ellis Short to sack boss Martin O’Neill and make the controversial move to hire Paolo Di Canio.
Former Lazio and West Ham striker Di Canio, who left his first managerial role with Swindon earlier this season, has been criticised for previously admitting his support for fascism, yet he is determined to ignore the furore and save Sunderland from the drop.
Di Canio may not have the support of all Sunderland’s fans, but he hopes to win over the players quickly.
“It is obvious that when you arrive at a club you need to sit down and have a chat with them,” he said.
“We have done that. I have had to look at the players, the experienced ones and the young ones, the players who look confident and maybe the players who are not so confident.”
Reading manager Nigel Adkins will be out for revenge when his bottom of the table team face Southampton, who sacked him in January, while second bottom QPR have a must-win clash against fellow strugglers Wigan.
Top Four Standings Played Points
1. Manchester United 30 77
2. Manchester City 30 62
3. Tottenham Hotspur 31 57
4. Chelsea 30 55
Last season’s top four finish
1. Manchester City 89 points
2. Manchester United 89
3. Arsenal 70
4. Tottenham Hotspur 69
Remaining key fixtures
Manchester United play Manchester City at Old Trafford on Monday and an eighth successive league win would put United 18 points clear of their closest rivals with seven matches to play.
City look likely to finish second, but the race for third and fourth places will continue probably until the final match with Tottenham having to play both City and Chelsea.
Arsenal, in fifth place just two points behind fourth, must play United and sixth-placed Everton.
Analysis
Manchester United look set for their fifth title in seven seasons with a team that may not be the best they have ever had, but certainly one that must be respected for consistently grinding out victories.
When United beat Sunderland 1-0 last Saturday they became the first team since league football began in 1888 to have won 25 of their opening 30 matches – and have not lost in the league since Norwich City beat them 1-0 at Carrow Road in November.
There have been two key elements this season compared to last, when United led City by eight points with six matches to play before faltering in the last few games to hand City the title on goal difference.
Robin van Persie’s acquistion from Arsenal had a huge impact until his goals dried up a few weeks ago. Wayne Rooney, despite not being at his best, has still scored 16 goals in all competitions so far.
The other key aspect of their play has been in defence. Saturday’s win over Sunderland was the sixth successive game in which young Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea has kept a clean sheet and his growing confidence has been hugely influential.
His improvement was recognised by Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque too, who recalled him to the senior squad for the recent World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France and his first appearance in the senior squad can not be too far away.
Nemanja Vidic’s return after injury to the centre of defence alongside the rejuvenated Rio Ferdinand has also given the side some real steel at the back and despite not always playing scintillating soccer, what they have produced has been far too good for their opponents to handle.
City started well, were unbeaten in their opening 15 matches and briefly topped the table in mid-November, but a series of mistakes by England goalkeeper Joe Hart cost them points.
Losing skipper Vincent Kompany to injury for two months did not help and uncharacteristic poor displays resulting in defeats to Sunderland, Southampton and Everton affected their confidence.
Despite those setbacks City are just one match away from a second FA Cup final appearance in three seasons with a semifinal against Chelsea coming up on April 14, and as they showed in their 4-0 demolition of Newcastle last week, are not a busted flush just yet.
Fixtures (all 4pm unless stated)
Today: Reading v Southampton (1:45pm), Norwich v Swansea, Stoke v Aston Villa, West Brom v Arsenal
Tomorrow: Chelsea v Sunderland, Liverpool v West Ham (2:30pm), Newcastle v Fulham, QPR v Wigan (5:10pm), Tottenham v Everton (3:05pm)
Monday: Manchester Utd v Manchester City (9pm)
Online Reporter