Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson doubts Roberto Mancini believes the title race is over for Manchester City.

Ferguson, who is a veteran at mind games from his previous battles for the title, has dismissed any attempts from Mancini to unsettle his side.

He said: "I think Roberto Mancini has maybe picked the wrong time to say it. There's still five games to go.

"We have to put it in a bit of perspective,' he said. 'You drop points in the second half of the season. We have done it most years. There has been an odd year when we have gone on a long run without losing but a couple of years back we lost 4-1 to Liverpool and won the league.

"You do drop points on the run-in. City and ourselves have both experienced that. But from the position we were in a few months ago, to where we are today, we have to be delighted.

"The great part of our club is that we do recover, and we have to recover from Wednesday. The Premier League is fascinating but experience will help us. Sunday's game is the one to focus on."