United can handle pressure - Hughes

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is backing former club Manchester United to retain their Premier League title at Wigan on Sunday.

Hughes: Backs United to retain title
Hughes: Backs United to retain title

United lead Chelsea on goal difference heading into the final game, with Sir Alex Ferguson taking his side to Wigan, managed by former Red Devils captain Steve Bruce, and Chelsea hosting Bolton.

Hughes, who has played for both clubs, feels United's players have the edge when it comes to the crunch.

"United need to get the job done but it is still very much in their own hands," he said.

"It is theirs to lose. I have no doubt Chelsea will take it to the wire but United have been in these positions before and have been able to get the job done.

"They are still very much the favourites to get it. When pressure is put on teams sometimes things happen but the better players are able to cope better with those changes of circumstances.

"They are two outstanding teams and whoever is going to get the Premier League title will fully deserve it."

Hughes has enough to worry about himself as he chases an Intertoto Cup place, currently held by Aston Villa a point ahead in sixth place.

His side go to 19th-placed Birmingham, who desperately need at least a point and probably more to have any chance of escaping relegation.

And the Rovers boss has some sympathy for Blues counterpart Alex McLeish, who took over in November when Bruce left for Wigan.

"It has been a difficult season for him, coming in midway through the campaign, and he has tried to get things on an even keel," said Hughes.

"But my concern is totally with what we are going to do

"We are playing with a lot of confidence after some good results in the last few weeks and we are in decent shape, maybe in better shape than Birmingham."

Striker Benni McCarthy has trained fully this week and is set to return to the squad having missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury.

David Dunn (groin) could also get his place back in the squad against his former club while Zurab Khizanishvili should be fit despite a minor groin problem which caused him to miss a day's training.

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