Chris Smalling and Danny Welbeck will miss Manchester United's final Premier League game of the season at Sunderland.

Smalling (groin) is set for a summer operation that will rule him out of Euro 2012, while Welbeck (ankle) has not recovered from the injury that he sustained during last month's Manchester derby.

It means Phil Jones should start alongside Rio Ferdinand in central defence as United look for the win that would allow them to retain the title if Manchester City fail to beat QPR.

Skipper Patrice Evra believes the key to a final title twist will be for the Red Devils to hit the front quickly at Sunderland.

It looks like a hopeless cause given QPR have an abysmal record away from home, whilst City have only dropped two points at the Etihad Stadium this term and on their last outing secured a deserved triumph over the Red Devils.

Yet Evra accepts United cannot just abandon all hope.

And he feels if his side can get their noses in front, and secure the league leadership on a very temporary basis as City are still trying to break the deadlock, it may prove to be the start of a glorious day.

"We cannot think about what Manchester City are doing,'' said Evra.

"We just have to make sure we win.

"The Sunderland game isn't easy but if we score first then maybe the City fans in the stadium will start to get nervous.

"When you are nervous then you can rush things and you don't do things as well as you'd like.''

As Evra acknowledges, it is a long shot. But straw clutching is the only sport United have available to them now.

"You have to believe,'' he said.

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has no fresh major injury concerns.

Former United defender Wes Brown has returned to training following a lengthy lay-off with a knee problem dating back to the end of January, although the game is likely to come too soon for him.

Centre-half Titus Bramble (Achilles) is likely to be included in the squad once again after making the bench at Fulham last week, but full-back Kieran Richardson and midfielder Sebastian Larsson (both hernia surgery) will miss out.

Captain Lee Cattermole said: ""It's a great game to be involved in. Obviously, the position we are in in the league, there is nothing much for us to play for at the minute other than trying to finish in the top 10 if we can beat Manchester United.

"But United have obviously got a title on the line and if Manchester City do slip up, United want to pounce, so it is going to be a competitive game

This Long story is just super story because we all know Manchester City are taking the Trophy home so lets forget about this Mu Mu club called Man United dem think say na dere papa get premier league

sexysunnyb: This Long story is just super story because we all know Manchester City are taking the Trophy home so lets forget about this Mu Mu club called Man United dem think say na dere papa get premier league

seconded.
Infact, thirded.

ManU to lose away..

Man u don already lost

One way or the other man untd must win PDP

United all the WAY - After we have finished with Sunderland today, then Man City plays a frustrating DRAW with QPR, then who will be crowned as the CHAMPION? Manchester United of course. So, all of you who are advocating for our - Manchester United fall, you had better have a rethink and follow the winning team, I don't mean winning the PDP ways ooooooo!!!!

let's wait and see

pls any links to watch the match live. pls

Citeh don score o!

City 1-QPR 2 pls what Sun Land-MU scores

careytommy: Citeh don score o!

u dey watch the match well?

Monjerk: City 1-QPR 2 pls what Sun Land-MU scores

1-0 rooney

Good one pls keep giving update cos am watching city match my blood is hot now

sylve11:

u dey watch the match well?

[left][/left]that was then.
This is now

Six more minutes.United lets go there!

The man of match of City-QPR match shuld go the visitor's keeper.

UP MAN U na we get the cup

Three minutes more!!!

Aussie: The man of match of City-QPR match shuld go the visitor's keeper.

Correct

Glory Glory manunited!
Why always we!
20th league title, against all odds and bad belle!

Four minutes more.QPR c'mon!

Na wa o
5 mins for citeh

I can't believe what just happened.

Up Man U. This is what i like in football - suprise

I see something, P** will not win the presidency in 2015. DOWN MAN U. OJoro no dey pay. DOWN MAN U. .Man city try naa, if they do not win this season, they may have to wait for the next 44yrs again.

Why 5mins injury time for City-qpr game? Not justified.

Man U,how market? Just passing ooooo

ujchief: Glory Glory manunited!
Why always we!
20th league title, against all odds and bad belle!

shushhh