Sir Alex Ferguson lands monthly award

Sir Alex Ferguson has been named Barclays Manager of the Month for April.

After a tough end to March in which United lost 4-1 to Liverpool and 2-0 to Fulham, the boss steered his resurgent Reds to four straight victories last month.

It started with the incredible scenes at Old Trafford against Aston Villa, with 17-year-old debutant Federico Macheda grabbing an astonishing injury-time clincher in a dramatic 3-2 win.

The Italian was again got the winner away to Sunderland, joining Paul Scholes on the scoresheet in a 2-1 success at the Stadium of Light.

Portsmouth were then dispatched 2-0 back in Manchester, although the winning margin could, and should, have been wider.

Sir Alex had to show his tactical nous as the Reds went in 2-0 down at half-time against Tottenham Hotspur in the last outing in April; sending out fearsome foursome Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov to spearhead five second-half goals.

Twelve goals in four games has kept the Reds in a commanding position in the league, now requiring a maximum of seven points from four remaining games to win a third consecutive title - the 18th in total.

Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin was handed the Player of the Month accolade.

Rooney on fire

"This is the time of the season when you want to really be at your best and enjoy your football and I'm doing that at the moment. We're in a great position in the league and we're so close to making history [by retaining the Champions League]. We set out at the start of the season to retain both trophies and hopefully we can do that."

- Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney feels the season run-in is bringing out the best in him.

The 23-year-old has been in fine form in recent weeks despite finding himself in a different role down the left wing.

With a Champions League final to look forward to in Rome later this month and a third consecutive title within grasp, Rooney says it's vital he and his team-mates keep up the momemtum.

"This is the time of the season when you want to really be at your best and enjoy your football and I'm doing that at the moment," he said.

"We're in a great position in the league and we're so close to making history [by retaining the Champions League].

"We set out at the start of the season to retain both trophies and hopefully we can do that.

"The final will be a tough game [against Barcelona], but we just have to concentrate on ourselves and the way we play.

"If we do that and play the way we know we can then I'm sure we'll be okay."

UEFA to rule on Fletch

UEFA's Control and Disciplinary body will meet on Monday to discuss Darren Fletcher's Champions League semi-final red card against Arsenal.

United have appealed to European football's governing body to overturn the dismissal - which rules Fletcher out of the final against Barcelona - because television replays show that the midfielder actually played the ball, rather than Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas in conceding a late penalty.

Earlier on Friday, Sir Alex Ferguson had confirmed the Reds' compassionate letter to UEFA, although he admitted that he held out little hope of the decision being overturned.

"I’m not optimistic at all, but we have to do it for Darren," he told his pre-Manchester City press conference. "It’s in fairness to him and sometimes, when everything’s addressed, you never know. But I don’t think it’ll be overturned.

"I honestly believe the referee made the right decision at the time because from his angle and from where I was, I thought it was a penalty. You see the replays and it’s obvious that Darren has managed to get his leg round and flick the ball away from Fabregas, which was incredible."

Sir Alex feels Fletcher was perhaps the victim of his own diligence at the Emirates Stadium, but is proud of the way the 25-year-old handled the heartbreak of missing a second successive Champions League final.

"Darren’s so honest that where an old stager might just have said (to Fabregas): ‘Go and score,’ he still was determined enough to try and do his job," said the manager. "He’s not an over-emotional boy and he accepts it. It’s disappointing for him obviously, but he takes great credit for the way he’s handled it all."

SAF wary of Blues' threat

"Their fans would love to think they can stop us winning the league. There’s nothing wrong with that, our fans would be exactly the same. That's the nature of derbies."

- Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Manchester City will be desperate to stop United taking a huge step towards the Premier League title this weekend.

Mark Hughes' Blues visit Old Trafford on Sunday, with United just seven points away from a third straight domestic crown. According to the United manager, City will take motivation from the chance to help out second-placed Liverpool.

"Their fans would love to think they can stop us winning the league," Sir Alex told his pre-match press conference. "It’s a natural thing that can happen. There’s nothing wrong with that, we’d be the same probably. Our fans would be exactly the same. They’re rivalries that involve everyone and I understand their desire to try and beat us on Sunday."

Having ended a 32-year wait to win at Old Trafford in last season's emotional post-Munich anniversary clash, City will be shooting for a second successive victory on enemy turf. But, with United on the brink of an English record-equalling 18th league title, Sir Alex admits his side have plenty riding on Sunday's clash.

"City will be desperate to win again," he said. "It (last season's defeat) was an emotional day for everyone at the club. It was difficult to handle, and we realised that afterwards. But that was over a year ago.

"There are only four games left for us and we’ve got to think of winning it. We’re so close now, it’s ours to win and in our form we’ve got a good chance."

Evra relishes city rivalry

He isn't Mancunian, but Patrice Evra knows the importance of derby day and is determined to play his part in victory on Sunday.

The Reds can move to within four points of a third successive title with a win at Old Trafford, and it would be even sweeter doing it with a double over City, after Wayne Rooney secured three points at Eastlands in November.

"There's an extra edge to these games," he tells United Review. "Even those of us not from Manchester can understand what it means. We’re aware of the rivalry and what it means to supporters.

"City raise their game against us so they’re always difficult games. I made my debut against them in the derby and, if I’m honest, it was a bad moment for me. But I learnt a lot about the derby and how bad it felt to lose. It’s all about getting the three points and getting closer to the title."