Bryan Robson: Manchester United will rebuild even if they pip City to the Premier League title

Bryan Robson believes that the Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, would view winning the Premier League this season as one of his greatest triumphs, given the resources available at Manchester City, who are his only challengers.

But former United and England captain Robson expects Ferguson to overhaul his squad this summer, whatever the title race outcome. United hold only a three-point lead going into Monday's derby at the Etihad Stadium after losing at Wigan and being held to a 4-4 draw by Everton on Sunday. Robson said: "If United pip City for the title, Sir Alex will take extra pleasure because it is at the expense of the local rivals. There has always been great rivalry between the two clubs but for the first time in many years, City are challenging. That is why for Sir Alex, it will be extra special for him, because of the resources City have.

"They've got a great squad while Sir Alex has brought a few kids through and had a lot of injuries to contend with this season. It will be a great achievement if United win the title this season. It will give Sir Alex great satisfaction."

Robson also expects Ferguson to be busy in the transfer market: "The one thing Sir Alex will do, whether he wins the title or not, is to build in the summer. He will do that to try and compete and get back above, or to stay in front of City, depending on what happens during the next three games." Robson believes the key to the derby could be how City handle the pressure United are accustomed to at this stage of a season for many campaigns. He said: "It will be a new experience for City and depends on how they adapt to it.

"It might be them saying 'Let's get out there, enjoy this and, if we do it, we do it, and if we don't no one is really going to criticise us because United have been there, seen it and done it'. Or do they go the other way and get nervous as they know how much is on this game?"

Robson feels surrendering a two-goal lead to Everton will hurt United more than the defeat at Wigan a fortnight ago. He said: "I think sometimes people just get carried away and expect it too easy. United had an incredible run of 12 wins out of 13, so when they went to Wigan it is not a shock that they had a bad night. That can happen in a season.

"The real disappointment to everyone at Old Trafford is being 4-2 up and not killing the game off against Everton. That was bad defending and that was a concern."