David Platt has admitted that Manchester City feared they had handed the Premier League title to Manchester United last season.
City, who are 11/10 with bookmaker to successfully defend their title next season, wobbled in a miserable March after leading the table for 28 games.
The Blues’ assistant boss thought City had gifted the initiative to Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, as they trailed by eight points with just six games left to salvage their season.
However, Roberto Mancini’s men stormed back to defeat United and win their remaining games, eventually landing the league thanks to two sensational stoppage-time goals against QPR in the final game of the season.
Platt admitted: “Robbie (Mancini) will tell you that he believed, but they (the players) didn’t, because nobody thinks United are going to drop eight points.
“I don’t take any credit away from our players, because to win the last six games of the season is never easy, but even in winning them, United’s record over the season said they weren’t going to drop eight out of 18.”