Former United right-back believes City will clinch their first Premier League title by winning at Newcastle and then beating another of his former clubs in Queens Park Rangers
EXCLUSIVE
By Rob Stewart
Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker believes that Manchester City have now installed themselves as "out-and-out favourites” to win their first Premier League title.
Parker believes his old club should not be completely written off but admits he can not see Roberto Mancini’s team slipping up following their 1-0 derby win as the finishing line looms with two games left apiece.
“It is wrong to write Manchester United off but I can see why people will do it,” Parker told Goal.com.
“There are still two games left and the wind can shift at any moment so anything can happen at this moment in time, especially with a tough looking game for City at Newcastle but I think that have what it takes to go up there and win.
“It is looking as though the momentum – and I hate using that word because it is so over-used in football – is now with City.
“If you look at how forceful they were, how strong they were and how good their football was in tight areas, from the back to the midfield to the front, you have to put them down as out and out favourites to go and beat Newcastle.
“Then they are not going to lose against QPR because their form away from home does not even give the slightest hope that they will go to the Etihad and score a goal. I saw their pitiful performance against Chelsea, who are nowhere near as good as City, and that tells you what QPR’s chances are of getting something.”
Parker, who helped United win their first Premier League title in 1993, spoke out after a goal from Vincent Kompany sent City to the top of the table, on goal difference, above the defending champions.
“Over the years they have shown that it is unwise to write Manchester United off,” Parker added.
“But now people are looking at their lack of a cutting edge, or the creativity and the ideas to break down Man City’s defence so people are asking 'how do you expect them to score a goal against a Swansea side that keep the ball only second to Barcelona?' And then they have to go to Sunderland who are rejuvenated under Martin O’Neill.
“O'Neill would love to beat Manchester United, it would just make his season even better because his team looked like relegation fodder before he arrived.
"United have two difficult games and, after conceding four goals at home to Everton, it will be very difficult against a Swansea side who have blown hot and cold over the last few weeks.”
