Roberto Mancini has admitted he believes that if Manchester United win their two Premier League matches this week, then the title race is over.
After Manchester City drew 3-3 with Sunderland on Saturday, United take a two-point lead into Monday night's clash with Blackburn and then face QPR on Sunday before Mancini's men return to action against Arsenal.
And the Italian feels that maximum points for United, which would see them go eight points clear, would end his side's hopes of winning the title.
"If we go eight points behind then it is finished," said Mancini.
"It's clear we are disappointed. We have made some mistakes, me and the team.
"We have also been unlucky, like losing three or four key players at an important moment. But when you are a strong team you should be able to pass these difficult moments.
"Yet football can change in two or three games. I had an experience in Italy with Inter Milan when we were five points behind with five games to go yet we still went on to win the title."
