While Manchester United fans around the world, are pinning their hopes on Wigan, causing a major upset and upsetting Chelsea’s applecart. In Manchester, coach of the Red Devils Sir Alex Ferguson rued the week that cost United 'everything' and the 'travesty' that his side was not challenging for Europe's glittering prize in the Champions League final later this month.
Ferguson's side needs to beat Stoke at Old Trafford on Sunday, besides hoping for leaders Chelsea to slip up against Wigan at Stamford Bridge if they are to clinch a record fourth successive Premier League title.
It was a forgettable week for the reigning Premier league champions, who also made an appearance in the Champions League final last year. And similarly it was a week in April that saw United exit the Champions League to Bayern Munich, temporarily lose striker Wayne Rooney to injury besides losing to Chelsea in the league that saw the title momentum swing heavily in the favor of Carlo Ancelotti's side.
"We are disappointed we haven't won other things," said Ferguson, whose side won the League Cup in February. "But the biggest disappointment was the European Cup. It is an absolute travesty we are not in the final. "It's an absolute travesty; we were the best team, that's the disappointment. That brought a certain disappointment for the first half against Chelsea.
"That was a bad week for us. One bad week of the season is maybe going to cost us everything.
"It's not easy to overcome these things but the second half against Chelsea the players buckled down and got on with their job."
The German club Bayern Munich who disposed off the Red Devils will now be facing Inter Milan in the Champions League final, although Ferguson has no doubt his side should be contesting the Madrid showpiece event on May 22.
"We had a good opportunity," said Ferguson. "We should be in the final against Inter. It would have been a difficult game, because Inter, without question, have improved tremendously this season. But it's a pity we won't be in the final."
Another factor that has hampered Ferguson’s side this season is their over reliance on star English striker Wayne Rooney.
Whenever Rooney failed to start a match, or remained unfit, Man U suffered, and unfortunately it happened during that pivotal week of the season, yet Ferguson said he was happy with the make-up of his squad.
Ferguson has also welcomed Tottenham's qualification for the Champions League and said next season the league would be far more exciting with the presence of the talented spurs squad.
"It is going to be more competitive next season with Tottenham's achievement of reaching the Champions League and with (Manchester) City, who have money to spend and could buy a new team if they wanted to. I think they will be strong again next season.
"It motivates you. The challenge is always there, we've always accepted that challenge and we have to again. It comes from different areas. "Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool are the established members but, in that gang of four, Tottenham and Manchester City are now going to be there."
At the f*g end of a long season, Alex Ferguson is still hoping for a miracle that can bring his team the league title, after the disappointing loss to Bayern in the Champions league quarter-finals.
It looks like a tough task, yet Man U is known to work miracles, and if ever there was a need for a prayer and a miracle it is this weekend, let us see what is in store for the die-hard Man U fans across the world.
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