Schmeichel: City will bottle it
PETER SCHMEICHEL reckons Manchester City will lose their bottle in the title race and finish second best to bitter rivals Manchester United.
The Blues head into this weekend’s games holding a two-point lead over United at the top of the table.
Roberto Mancini’s men show no signs of slowing down after winning their last five games in all competitions. But United legend Schmeichel, who turned out for both clubs in a glittering Premier League career, fears Mancini’s men will lose their nerve and allow United to land a record 20th league crown.
Schmeichel, who won five league titles with United, said: “I think City have done exceptionally well, but I think they are scrapping a bit at the moment. There have been a few 1-0s, a few close calls. It’s a sign that the season is coming to a close.
“United have been in this position many, many times before. We know the significance of every result, and of losing ground. But we also know it’s never over until it’s over.
“When I say ‘we’ I don’t mean the team, I mean the club, I mean the supporters – we know that, we’ve been there. The big task for City is: do they know that?
“It’s added pressure when you are leading going into March and April because everyone is chasing you.
BEEFING UP: DAVID DE GEA
“Who would have thought 20 years ago that Manchester would be running the show like this?”
Schmeichel admires Joe Hart’s emergence as one of the best keepers in the world and he added: “Joe has bags of talent. One of the reasons City are No.1 at the moment is because of Joe.”
And he has leapt to the defence of under-fire United stopper David De Gea and said: “I feel really sorry for De Gea.
“People want to have a dig at him, and at the manager. But it speaks volumes for his character that he has come through with some cracking saves.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s a great keeper. I’m disappointed on behalf of De Gea because I thought in this country you give everybody a chance.
“But he’s come through that challenge well and I like what I see there now.”
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has ordered De Gea to beef up if he wants to survive in the Premier League.
Fergie said: “The boy has got talent. He’s lightning quick, but has just found it difficult to adjust to some parts of the game here.
“It’s a matter of developing his frame. He’s doing a lot of work in the gym. If we can get a stone on him without losing any of his flexibility or speed, it would be a great boost to him.”
