ROO NEED HELP ... Wayne Rooney and Co at Manchester United hope for a miracle - The Sun

The desperate United boss knows only an upset by Sparky's QPR next Sunday could let the Red Devils retain their crown.

Fergie's side took the title race to the final day with a win over Swansea.

And he said: "Mark knows his job. He was sacked by City in a very unethical way and he will remember that.

"Mark Hughes' teams always fight but QPR players are fighting for survival. The whole future of the club could be resting on the game and I only wish Sparky was playing."

QPR boss Hughes, sacked by City in December 2009, said: "It would be a fantastic story if we can go there and get something."

First-half goals from Paul Scholes and Ashley Young gave United three points.

Now they are relying on QPR – whose away form has been dismal with only three wins and two draws on their travels — to become only the second team this season to take something off City.

Ferguson said: "Football is a funny game. You never know.

"Mark going back to the Etihad is a great incentive for him. The biggest incentive is that his team need a result to stay up.

"The only place you want to stay is the Premier League, everything else isn't the same."

Fergie's side must now go to Sunderland and win to have any chance.

He added: "We've won the title on three occasions on the last day and we don't mind doing it again. But they are red-hot favourites.

"The expectation of Manchester United players is to win the match. We'll go there optimistic. It won't be easy but we'll have a go.

"We did what we had to do today, we won the match.

"There was optimism about scoring a lot of goals but it was over-optimism."