It has been one of the most closely fought Premiership title battles in years, and Manchester United know they need Manchester City to slip up if they have a chance at retaining the league title.

Roberto Mancini's team have the best home record in the league, and face QPR, who have the worst. However, Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Mark Hughes team can draw inspiration from what he achieved in Gothenberg 29 years ago.

It is exactly 29 years ago to the day that Alex Ferguson guided his unfancied Aberdeen side to a remarkable 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Ahead of Manchester United's match with Sunderland, Ferguson was asked if he held out any hope of QPR doing them a favour at Eastlands.

After the most pregnant of pauses, the legendary manager said: "Do you know what I was doing 29 years ago today? I took a wee team called Aberdeen to beat Real Madrid in a European final with 11 players, home bred and the oldest player was 27 years of age.

"That's Queens Park Rangers' challenge, to do an Aberdeen."

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