Hammers all but surrender

Day before match, West Ham manager says Manchester United deserve to win League title

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley says Manchester United deserve to win the Premier League. The two sides meet Saturday, and a victory would bolster Man U8217;s title chances.

Curbishley8217;s comments haven8217;t gone down well with Chelsea, who are even on points with the Red Devils in the fight for the title.

8220;I don8217;t have a reason to doubt the integrity of Alan Curbishley,8221; Chelsea manager Avram Grant said Friday. 8220;But I think it8217;s wrong to say things like this because he8217;s involved in the games against United.8221;

Ferguson, who has lost his last three matches against West Ham, dismissed Grant8217;s concerns. 8220;I don8217;t know why he8217;s suggesting there8217;s going to be anything untoward,8221; Ferguson told reporters Friday.

8220;They should know better than anyone, Chelsea, about these situations.

8220;But we must be in the driving seat, if we both win two games we have the better goal difference.8221;

Due a favour

It8217;s time Ferguson was due a favour from West Ham. United8217;s draw at Upton Park on the last day of the 1995 season denied the Red Devils of the title. But last season 8212; with the championship already secured 8212; Ferguson fielded a weakened side and the 1-0 loss prevented West Ham from being relegated.

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United8217;s 2-1 loss at Chelsea last Saturday threw the title race open. But if United can take three points off West Ham and Newcastle beat Chelsea on Monday, the trophy will be returning to Old Trafford.

8220;Hopefully we can win the match tomorrow which would go a long way to winning the league,8221; Ferguson said. 8220;Newcastle is not an easy place to go now for Chelsea, they are on the march.8221;

Striker Wayne Rooney could return on the bench after suffering a hip injury last weekend, but Ferguson won8217;t be gambling ahead of the May 21 Champions League final against Chelsea.

Ferguson hopes United8217;s tense 1-0 victory over Barcelona in the semi-finals on Tuesday will kickstart the domestic campaign. 8220;It gave us the lift at the right time. Now we can pick our strongest team for the next two games and have the squad to change it if we want to.8221;