Football | Barclays Premier League
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Survival battle reaches crucial stage
City's win over Wigan on Wednesday pegged United's lead back to 13 points, having played a game more.
But with only six games to go for Roberto Mancini's City, the task looks beyond them unless United suffer a huge collapse.
Ferguson has called on his side to finish the job quickly, saying: "We have five games left - three at home, two away - and the players are showing they want to win it.
"There's no doubt about that. We've got a nice cushion with our lead but we don't want to make any mistakes."
City could have their hands full when they take on Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday, with Gareth Bale perhaps set to return for the home side.
Bale has been struggling to overcome an ankle injury but with Tottenham two points behind the top four in a race for Champions League football, manager Andre Villas-Boas may be forced to take the risk.
Third-placed Chelsea travel to Liverpool, with interim manager Rafael Benitez going back to his former Anfield side who are still chasing a top-six place.
Arsenal, one point behind Chelsea in fourth, are away to Fulham.
At the bottom, Reading and Queens Park Rangers, tied on 24 points and still 10 points from safety, both face "must-win" games.
Reading are away to Norwich while QPR host a Stoke side in freefall with one point from their past seven matches.
Both sides know that with games running out, anything but a win could effectively leave them with too much work to do but QPR manager Harry Redknapp is not giving up just yet.
"I'm not going to stand here and say we can't do it," Redknapp said.
"If it's a no, I may as well go on holiday now. We have to believe.
"We have to beat Stoke, we have to beat Reading, then Newcastle and Arsenal. I know it's tough but while you've got a chance you have to keep going."
Wigan, who sit third bottom, three points from safety, are away to West Ham, desperate to survive despite reaching next month's FA Cup final.
Manager Roberto Martinez was encouraged by his team's display at Manchester City in midweek, despite the 1-0 scoreline and is convinced they can get out of trouble.
"If we play like this we'll get the points we deserve," Martinez said after the City game.
"We've been in a very good run of form. The performance (against City) was no accident. We've been playing really well in the last few weeks and the FA Cup success has really helped us.
Sunderland, who still need points to be sure of their survival, take on Everton; Newcastle, who could yet be dragged into the mire, are at West Brom and Swansea face Southampton in the weekend's other match.
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