When Manchester United face Sunderland on the final day of the season- Sir Alex Ferguson could be upset by an old friend.
We all love football because it gives us moments of significance to enjoy and remember.
The climax of the season often gives fans unforgettable moments to savour or regret.
In recent years see Federico Macheda’s winner against Aston Villa, Didier Drogba’s winner for Chelsea at Old Trafford, or even Sylvain Wiltord’s winner in 2002 for Arsenal.
This season we could be heading for a final day decider- with Manchester United traveling to Sunderland, and City hosting relegation threatened QPR.
United have had some final day successes on the road in the Premier League- winning titles at Wigan and at Middlesborough.
They will hope that this season- with number 20 up for grabs- that there is no repeat of 1994/95 when the club blew their big chance, only drawing away to West Ham, allowing Kenny Dalglish’s Blackburn Rovers to win the title.
Right now United have a five point lead at the top, but any slip-ups will mean the final day of the 2011-12 season will have everything riding on it.
Their remaining games include home games against Everton and Swansea, challenging yes, but ones they should win, but could be nervy affairs.
The biggest worry has to be the trip to Manchester City with two games to go. If City win it will be a huge swing against United, cutting the gap to just two points.
United often do it the hard way- in 2007/08 they lost a similar crunch game against Chelsea 2-1 thanks to a late Michael Ballack penalty, meaning they had to go to Wigan and win on the final day, when they could have avoided the stress by getting a result at Stamford Bridge.
City have tough games themselves- they will expect to win at Wolves this coming weekend, but the trip to Newcastle threatens to derail their charge.
After watching them score 10 goals in four games against West Brom and Norwich- inspired by a rejuvenated Carlos Tevez, they will suddenly believe anything is possible, and United will have to expect them to win all of their remaining games- the derby aside.
If United do lose at the Etihad- and the way things are going it is set up for a Carlos Tevez winner, what are the chances of another former United man spoiling the party on the season’s final day?
When Sir Alex Ferguson allowed John O’Shea to switch to Sunderland last summer, he would not have dreamed a scenario where the Irishman could deny United a 20th league title.
After contributing to five league titles during his time at Old Trafford, O’Shea could be the fly in the ointment for his former teammates.
Whether it be by denying United’s strikers, or popping up and scoring a decisive goal for Sunderland, it could be a real Denis Law moment for the Irishman.
O’Shea has actually missed the last few games through a calf injury, but was in contention for the Wolves game and could return next weekend, as he strives to be fit for Euro 2012.
United will simply hope it does not get to to such a point where the man who scored such an unforgettable winner for them against Anfield gets the chance to haunt them, but if it does- it could be one of the most unforgettable moments in recent history.
Can you see such a scenario happening? Will the title race come down to United needing a win at Sunderland on the final day?
image: © hunganh3
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