Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson always felt Manchester City would challenge this season.

The title will be decided tomorrow at Etihad.

Ferguson said: "I always thought City would be our big challengers this year, particularly after the early-season programme they had.

"I mean, they didn't really play anyone at the start of the season, and they got off to a flyer because of it.

"We had Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham in the first four or five games. We had a really tough start and because City had some good results that projected them forward.

"I always expected them to be there at the end after that."