Manchester City coach David Platt insists dropping two points at Stoke City had nothing to do with mind games being waged by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Earlier this week City's football development executive Patrick Vieira claimed United had shown signs of weakness by bringing Paul Scholes out of retirement.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson returned fire on Friday by saying City's recall of Carlos Tevez, who spent three months in Argentina without permission earlier this season, was more like such.

Platt said: "It doesn't matter what the ammunition is and what words are, it is all about amassing points.

"It is not about winning leagues because of mind games. It is about players going onto a pitch to play football and gain points.

"If we have more points than them at the end of the season everyone will perceive that Robbie has won the war of words.

"If it is the other way round, people will perceive Sir Alex has won it but it is inconsequential really.

"It is about what both teams do on the pitch."