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Although only goal difference separates the blue and red halves of Manchester, in all probability the title will be City’s for the first time in 44 years so long as Roberto Mancini’s side can match United’s result on the final day of the season.
Man City will face QPR at home, having won all but one of their 18 Premier League matches at the Etihad Stadium, while United travel to Sunderland.
With United only managing the same margin of victory as City had earlier recorded at Newcastle, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men trail their “noisy neighbours” by eight goals.
Following a scrappy start to the game, United began to grow in confidence against Swansea and once the visitors’ Nathan Dyer had curled over the top, Michel Vorm did well to produce a double save to thwart Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney.
United were not to be denied though. Antonio Valencia, restored to the side after missing out in the 1-0 defeat by Manchester City last Monday, had a hand in his side’s opener. His cutback found Michael Carrick, whose shot was deflected past Vorm by Scholes.
That lifted the atmosphere, and once Young found the corner of the net following Scott Sinclair’s mistake, there appeared some hope that the hosts could overhaul their city rivals’ goal difference.
Javier Hernandez could have added to the total before the break, and once Gylfi Sigurdsson had tested David de Gea early in the second half, Young was inches from adding his second of the afternoon as Nathan Dyer sped back to clear.
United’s desire to push for goals left them open at the other end and Danny Graham and Dyer went close, while Gylfi Sigurdsson drew another De Gea save from a free-kick.
Among a host of other chances, Rooney chipped just wide, but the sense of frustration around Old Trafford was evident when the United striker picked up his first booking of the season after fouling Leon Britton.
Four weeks ago, Ferguson’s team were eight points ahead of City, but Rooney and his team-mates will recognise that their recent defeat at Wigan, not to mention letting a two-goal lead slip against Everton two weeks ago, could have cost them the title.
Swansea, who can be content that their season has more than lived up to expectations, came close to making it an even more awkward afternoon, with Danny Graham and Gylfi Sigurdsson both testing De Gea.
Ferguson walked onto the pitch afterwards to thank the supporters as his team went on a lap of the stadium to show their appreciation. But his assertion that “hopefully next week it will be the biggest celebration of our lives” underlined the about-turn in fortunes he needs to secure a 20th league championship.
Meanwhile, James Morrison came off the bench to score a last-minute equaliser as West Brom put a severe dent in Bolton’s chances of avoiding relegation.
Morrison arrived at the far post to volley in Simon Cox’s cross as the visitors fought back from 2-0 down.
Martin Petrov had put Bolton in front from the penalty spot.
A Billy Jones own goal doubled Wanderers’ lead, but they were stunned as Chris Brunt lashed home before Morrison completed West Brom’s rally
They paid the price for sitting too deep in an attempt to protect their 2-0 advantage and West Brom were rewarded for throwing everything at their opponents in the closing stages. —BBC.
Online Reporter