Sir Alex Ferguson looks to Mark Hughes to help Manchester United

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<div class="track"><img alt="" src="http://hits.guardian.co.uk/b/ss/guardiangu-feeds/1/H.24.1.1/43923?ns=guardian&pageName=Sir+Alex+Ferguson+looks+to+Mark+Hughes+to+help+Manchester+United%3AArticle%3A1741468&ch=Football&c3=Guardian&c4=Premier+League+%28Football%29%2CManchester+United+%28Football%29%2CManchester+City+%28Football%29%2CMark+Hughes+%28Football%29%2CQPR+%28Football%29%2CPremier+League+2011-12%2CFootball%2CSport&c5=Unclassified%2CPremier+League&c6=Jamie+Jackson&c7=12-May-06&c8=1741468&c9=Article&c10=Feature&c11=Football&c13=&c25=&c30=content&c42=Sport&h2=GU%2FSport%2FFootball%2FPremier+League" width="1" height="1" /></div><p class="standfirst">The manager is hoping his former centre-forward's anger with Manchester City will help him win a 13th title at United</p><p>After the caution of the 4-5-1 that lost Manchester United the derby, and with it perhaps their best shot at the title, Sir&nbsp;Alex Ferguson's side required a goal rush. And for Queens Park Rangers to gain sweet revenge for Mark Hughes at the Etihad Stadium next Sunday.</p><p>Manchester City's 2-0 victory earlier at Newcastle United raised their goal difference to 10 better than the champions before kick-off. In his programme notes Ferguson was clear United would be "gung-ho" for the visit of Swansea City, who had shipped four in their draw with the already relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers in their previous game.</p><p>As 90 minutes approached, Ferguson's team were cruising at 2-0. But that was tempered by the knowledge that even an avalanche of goals on Sunday will not be enough. Instead, thoughts turned to Hughes: the United old boy sacked as City manager in December 2009 and who Reds fans now hope might earn the draw – at least – that again clears a path to the title for them.</p><p>In his post-match briefing Ferguson was quick to mention Hughes, joking he wished "Sparky was playing" against City on Sunday, and that "he was sacked in a very unethical way and he'll remember that".</p><p>Ferguson's claim puts the spotlight back on Roberto Mancini, who admitted talking to City before replacing Hughes, and compounded this by offering no contrition. "When one manager doesn't work there is another manager. The world is full of football managers. It's not my problem. If the manager doesn't accept this, he doesn't do this job."</p><p>Speaking as Fulham's manager, before Mancini's City defeated them 4-1 in November 2010, Hughes offered a tart retort. "It is not something that sits comfortably with me or something I've ever done," he said. "I have respect for people's position. If clubs come to you and ask 'are you interested'? I would say I wasn't aware there was a vacancy but, when the wheels are set in motion, these things happen. I'm not naive enough to think it doesn't happen. I'm big enough to understand."</p><p>Ferguson called it right by saying QPR are fighting for their lives. But they could conceivably lose at City and still be playing Premier League football next season, after a 1-0 win over Stoke that leaves them two points clear of the relegation zone.</p><p>Yet as Hughes and QPR travel to City on Sunday they need "just" the draw against Mancini's champions elect, so their fate remains within their compass. Unlike United who know that if Hughes and QPR cannot do them a favour then even a 1-0 City victory means 9-0 is required at Sunderland to win Ferguson's 13th title.</p><p>The clue to their predicament could be found in Paul Scholes "celebration" of his 28th-minte opener. After Michael Carrick drove the ball at Swansea's goal, the schemer's flicked finish was followed by the shrug of an old stager who knew three points was the least requirement.</p><p>Wayne Rooney created United's second. His meander across Swansea's area ended with a shot that rebounded to Ashley Young, and he threaded his shot beyond Michel Vorm.</p><p>The mood before kick-off had been sombre with Patrice Evra, Gary Neville (in his role as club ambassador) and Ferguson all maintaining hope despite United's position. Defeats by City (twice), Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and Wigan Athletic plus draws with Stoke City, Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea and Everton had made a 20th championship distant.</p><p>When City lost 1-0 at Arsenal at the start of last month their challenge appeared dead. But United's defeat by Wigan and point against Everton allowed City to claw their way back towards a first title since 1968 and the Swansea fans to sing of Ferguson's faltering band, "eight points, and you $$$$ed it up".</p><p>The autopsies will begin in earnest if City defeat QPR on Sunday, unless United manage a cricket score at Sunderland. For now, short-term analysis turns to the personnel and formation sent out by Ferguson at City last Monday.</p><p>The 4-5-1 was designed to "stifle", he wrote in expansive programmes notes that suggested a rare need to explain. His midfield featured Michael Carrick, Scholes and Ryan Giggs, with Park Ji-sung and Nani patrolling the wings. Of these, one had not played for six weeks (Park) while there is no mention on Nani's resume of his fondness for tracking back.</p><p>City won due to a Vincent Kompany header late in the first half, and Ferguson wrote: "Up to that point I thought that we were stifling the thrusts I knew would come through the middle from the opposition's powerful players in that area. Park Ji-sung had done well, as he has before when I have given him a particular player and area to guard. He is a very disciplined player, and although City had a lot of possession they weren't actually threatening and nothing much was happening."</p><p>Now he hopes that Hughes can repeat his last result as manager against City: Fulham's 1-1 draw at the Etihad in February 2011. The Welshman added of the decision to sack him: "They made the change with the view that they wanted to accelerate the process of getting success. That doesn't seem to have happened."</p><p>On Sunday he stands between City – and Mancini – changing all that.</p><div class="related" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><ul><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/premierleague">Premier League</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/manchester-united">Manchester United</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/manchestercity">Manchester City</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/mark-hughes">Mark Hughes</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/qpr">QPR</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/premier-league-2011-12">Premier League 2011-12</a></li></ul></div><div class="author"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/jamiejackson">Jamie Jackson</a></div><br/><div class="terms"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk">guardian.co.uk</a> &copy; 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. 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