Manchester City sense a split at Manchester United between manager Sir Alex Ferguson and coach Rene Meulensteen. An interview with Meulensteen, in which the Dutchman criticised City, has been used as an inspirational tool by the Blues.

And United boss Ferguson reacted furiously to the ­interview, conducted when the Reds were eight points clear at the top of the ­Premier League.

A City insider told the Sunday Mirror: "Ferguson was not ­impressed by Meulensteen's observations about our team when the title race was still in the balance, despite United's lead at the top.

"His comments certainly had an affect in our dressing room because players and coaching staff thought he was taking a few cheap shots that were both unnecessary and ill-informed."