Neville concerned time is running out
Gary Neville has conceded a Chelsea win at Bolton tomorrow will mark the end of Manchester United’s Barclays Premiership title challenge.
United have breathed new life into a flagging domestic campaign by embarking on a run of nine successive league wins which should be extended against doomed Sunderland at Old Trafford tonight.
Victory for Alex Ferguson’s men will close Chelsea’s lead at the top to four points ahead of the Londoners’ testing trip to the Reebok Stadium.
Ferguson is convinced old mate Sam Allardyce can do United a favour, just as he did in 2003 when Bolton nicked a point off Arsenal which ultimately allowed the Red Devils to snatch the championship out of the Gunners’ grasp.
Neville also has his fingers crossed. But, the United skipper accepts with only five games of the campaign remaining, time is the enemy of his side. And, if Chelsea can record only their second away win in eight games on the road in all competitions, the 31-year-old would prepare to wave the white flag.
“If Chelsea were to win on Saturday, you would have to concede we were going to struggle,” admitted Neville.
“We are looking at Bolton to give us a glimmer of hope because they have to drop points at some stage over Easter and, while Everton could do something on Monday, Chelsea’s record at Stamford Bridge this season is so good, it is difficult to see it happening.
“If you look at the situation realistically, it is possible we are going to run out of time. I would love to be able to talk our position up and we might be four or five points behind them on Sunday. Then, suddenly, we have a real chance.
“But, at this moment in time, they are in the driving seat and everybody knows it.”
With Louis Saha’s ankle injury set to restrict him to a bench slot, the only change to the side which beat Arsenal last weekend is likely to see Wes Brown replace Nemanja Vidic in central defence.
Gabriel Heinze could make his long-awaited return from cruciate knee damage as a substitute, with Neville vowing there will be no complacency against a side who seemed destined to exit the top flight as the worst team of the Premiership era.
“We cannot be complacent,” said the England star. “There is just too much at stake.”
