If you’d offered City fans a campaign like this one a few years ago, they would have bitten your hands off for it.

Of course, after their title-winning season of 2011/12, supporters at the Etihad Stadium expected another challenge for the Premier League crown this year, but they haven’t really got near Manchester United.

Roberto Mancini’s future has come under question, but there is no need for the board at the Etihad to panic at all.

What Mancini is building at the club takes time and if he can deliver another piece of silverware by winning the FA Cup, you have to say it is another successful term in their history.

Although City have lots of money, you can’t just build one of the best teams around overnight and sacking Mancini might mean that the club go back to square one.

Supporters want him to say – you only have to hear his name being sung on match days to realise that.

The Italian manager is sure to strengthen in the summer transfer window and if he bring in the right players, we can expect to see Manchester City challenging for every compeition they are involved in.

Make no doubt about it, the Champions League campaign next season has to be a lot better as they failed to win a game in the group stages last time out.

If you want to do some FA Cup betting, you can see that Man City are being offered at 4/11 to win the trophy, which does of course make them the massive favourites with the bookies.

However, this means that the Latics can come into this one with a bit of pressure off as nothing is expected of them and we know just how good they can be when they play with freedom.

In truth, this is likely to be a match that Wigan win by playing some stunning football, or an encounter where they are taught a massive lesson and made to look like an average team at best.

Which one of those it will be is unclear as Roberto Martinez’s men are one of the toughest to predict.

You only have to look at their performances in the Premier League to justify this point as they always leave it until late on to mount their survival bid and show they can beat anyone on their day.

One thing that Wigan do have is the knowhow in the big occasion as they have gone into a number of games knowing their Premier League status is at stake.

They might need a little bit of luck on the way, but the side from the DW Stadium have the players with the quality to win this FA Cup Final.

When looking at the FA Cup odds, you can see that the likes of BetVictor don’t give them much chance as they are out at 10/1 to win inside 90 minutes, but stranger things have happened in this wonderful tournament.

One thing that you can never do is write Wigan Athletic off as they the tendency to produce a performance out of nowhere – such as their quarter-final win at Goodison Park.

It might not be the routine victory for Manchester City that everyone is expecting. It should be a superb encounter, regardless of how Wigan perform.

The 34-year-old has won the Premier League six times at Old Trafford and this campaign, he looks to be fitter than ever.

The centre-back position has been a problem for Sir Alex Ferguson this season as a number of his defenders have been out injured, but Ferdinand has played the majority of matches and put in superb performances in the big encounters, when it really matter.

There had been talk of the Englishman leaving Old Trafford in the summer, but that doesn’t look to be the case as he is a vital member of this squad.

What Ferdinand offers is a great deal of experience and knowhow, as well as quality on the ball and a superb footballing brain.

Ferguson was full of praise for his defender as well as he said: “Rio Ferdinand has had his best ever season at the club.

“We have had continual problems with the centre-backs being fit.

“Nemanja Vidic has missed half a season, Chris Smalling has missed most of the season, Phil Jones missed a good bit and Jonny Evans missed parts. But Rio has managed his situation very well.”

Of course, at 34-years-old, Ferdinand hasn’t got too long left playing at the highest level, but if there is a club that is able to keep a player going for as long as possible, Manchester United is the perfect place to be at.

You only have to look at the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, who are both still playing into their late 30’s to see that Ferguson is a master in managing his older players.

Football betting experts are already making United the favourites for the title next season and Ferdinand can be a key member in delivering more silverware to Old Trafford.

Toure has been a big success at Eastlands since his 2010 transfer from Barcelona and his decision to commit his future to Roberto Mancini’s team until 2017 is a major boost for the club.

The 29-year-old was instrumental in City winning the English title last season and the Ivory Coast star admits that success has whetted his appetite for more silverware.

“This is where I want to be,” Toure told City’s official website.

“When I first arrived at City, every time I went to sleep I would dream about us winning something.

“Now it is about us being the best team in whatever competition we take part in.”

Toure has also won the Champions League, two Liga titles, the FA Cup and Copa Del Rey during his career, but he regards City’s title triumph — their first in 44 years — as the defining moment of his career.

“I want to continue winning titles and trophies and continue to make history,” Toure said.

“I have enjoyed all of my time here and can’t wait for the next chapter.

“This is an incredible club to be part of with fans that support a team to the end, whatever the circumstances.

“I will never forget how I have been treated here by the fans, the club and the owners and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to finish my career as a Manchester City player.”

With City trailing 15 points behind Manchester United in the Premier League, Toure is unlikely to taste title success this season.

But he has set his sights on winning the FA Cup instead, with City facing Chelsea in the semi-final at Wembley on April 14.

“Of course now it looks likely that we will not successfully defend the Premier League title and that is sad for all of us,” he said.

“But we can still finish second and win the FA Cup for a second time in three years and that is still an achievement for a club that won nothing for a long time.

“We must try to finish on a high note and then start preparing to win more next season. Football is always a challenge and always a puzzle to solve and that is why we all love the game.

“You have to use your skill, intelligence and strength to constantly improve and that is what we at City intend to do.”

Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain (L) celebrates next to Raphael Varane (R) and Sergio Ramos

MADRID, Spain   ●   Real Madrid took a huge step towards reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the third consecutive year as they beat Galatasaray 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo got the hosts off to the perfect start as he calmly chipped home from Mesut Ozil’s wonderful through ball after just nine minutes.

Karim Benzema then doubled Madrid’s lead on 29 minutes with a simple finish at the back post from Michael Essien’s cross and Gonzalo Higuain headed home the third 17 minutes from time to seal a highly satisfactory evening for the hosts.

And Higuain said it was important to build up a first-leg advantage to try and take the sting out of their trip to Istanbul on Tuesday.

“We knew the return would be very difficult and the truth is we can go there happy because 3-0 is a very favourable result,” he told reporters.

It was an especially good night for the Madrid strikers as both Benzema and Higuain silenced their critics of late by finding the back of the net, but Higuain claimed he hasn’t felt under pressure of late.

“The strikers are calm. I have already said the coach has never pressured us with our goals but only with the work we do for the team.”

Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim had signalled his intent to attack by naming the trio of Wesley Sneijder, Didier Drogba and Burak Yilmaz in his starting line-up.

However, as a result the Turkish champions gifted way too much for Madrid to create in midfield, with Ozil in particular shining in the first-half.

The German international set-up the opener as he received Xabi Alonso’s pass before turning and feeding Ronaldo to dink the ball over the advancing Fernando Muslera for his ninth Champions League goal of the campaign.

Drogba nearly produced an immediate reply for the visitors as he spun Raphael Varane on the edge of the box, but with a clear sight of goal the Ivorian lashed wildly wide of the target.

However, that was opening up gaps that Madrid love to exploit on the counter-attack and from another sprightly break Ozil forced Muslera into a good low save.

Drogba did hit the target with another long-range strike that Diego Lopez could only turn behind for a corner and Galatasaray had a good claim for a penalty turned down when Sami Khedira appeared to handle inside his own area.

Yet, they were still struggling to cope at the back and went further behind when Essien’s cross just evaded Ronaldo but fell perfectly for Benzema to slot in off the near post.

Emmanuel Eboue had a great chance to give Terim’s men a lifeline just before half-time as he broke through on goal after a neat exchange of passes with Drogba, but the former Arsenal defender fired his shot too close to Lopez, who made a comfortable save.

Perhaps recognising the error of his ways to start the game, Terim replaced Sneijder with Gokhan Zan at the break.

The change to a 5-3-2 formation did allow the visitors to stem the tide of Madrid attacks in the second period, but the Spanish champions should have scored a third when Angel Di Maria was found by another majestic Ozil pass only for the Argentine to volley meekly into Muslera’s arms.

The tie was virtually killed off by a third Madrid goal 17 minutes from time though as substitute Higuain glanced home Alonso’s in-swinging free-kick.

And Galatasaray’s night was summed up when Yilmaz saw a yellow card for diving when he was challenged by Sergio Ramos, meaning he will now miss the return-leg on Tuesday.

Malaga’s Weligton (C) vies with Dortmund’s Kevin Grosskreutz (R) in Malaga

MALAGA, Spain   ●     Borussia Dortmund were left to rue a host of missed chances as their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Malaga at La Rosaleda ended in a 0-0 draw on Wednesday night.

The result means it’s still all to play for in Dortmund in next Tuesday’s second leg, although the Bundesliga side may live to regret not grabbing an away goal.

Borussia do however remain the only unbeaten team in the Champions League this season, while Malaga extended their unbeaten home record in Europe to 14 games.

Afterwards Malaga winger Joaquin Sanchez said the tie is still wide open.

“It’s a positive result for us, if we score in Germany it complicates things for them, so I think we go there with the same chances as they have,” he told Spanish television.

His coach Manuel Pellegrini, who is attempting to become the first coach to take two teams to the Champions League semi-finals in their debut season in the competition, agreed.

“I don’t think the game in Germany will be too different from tonight, only an early goal for either team could change things. Both sides went for it tonight and it made for a good open game,” he said.

Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp was also satisfied with the draw.

“I can live with this 0-0. We did everything well from the first kick to the final whistle but it’s a higher level,” he said.

“We know what we have to do in the return match.”

Both sides were understandably cautious in the opening stages but Javier Saviola came close to opening the scoring for the home side on seven minutes after good play on the right from Jesus Gamez found the Argentinian in space in the box.

Shortly after, the German side had their first of many first-half chances when a long ball out of defence was headed into the path of Mario Goetze by Robert Lewandowski, but Willy Caballero was quick to get down and save for the hosts.

Caballero was the hero again five minutes later when he made an even better save at close range from the same player after slick passing from the Germans had opened up the home defence.

Goetze felt he’d let his side down by missing those chances.

“I could have really helped the team by scoring. I’m ashamed that I didn’t score at least one of them,” he said.

Borussia’s neat quick passing game was beginning to dominate proceedings and Caballero had to be sharp again on 25 minutes to deny a Marco Reus drive from outside the area.

Next it was Kevin Grosskreutz who shot wide for the visitors after another quick move caused more problems in the Spanish defence.

On the half-hour mark, Malaga centre half Weligton received a yellow card when all he could do was pull down Lewandowski to stop another attack, with the booking meaning the influential Brazilian defender will miss the second leg in Germany.

Malaga midfielder Manuel Iturra will also miss the second leg after picking up a card later in the game.

Borussia’s Polish forward Lewandowski was looking lively and causing Malaga problems at every opportunity but, at the other end, the hosts showed signs of causing their own problems and Roman Weidenfeller needed quick reflexes to palm away a Weligton header.

The Spanish side exerted more control in midfield after the interval, slowing down their opponents and making goal chances harder to come by.

Indeed it was not until the 65th minute, when Goetze broke down the right before shooting wide of the far post, that either side had a serious attempt on goal.

And yet a minute later, Weidenfeller made the save of the game as he blocked a rasping drive from Isco, leaving everything to be decided in the return.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Blaise Matuidi scored the equaliser against Barcelona during the Champions League quarter-final match on Tuesday

PARIS, France    ●   Blaise Matuidi grabbed a dramatic equaliser in injury time to earn PSG a 2-2 draw with Barcelona in a pulsating Champions League quarter-final.

Barca went in front seven minutes before halftime when Dani Alves produced an exquisite pass with the outside of his right boot straight into the path of Lionel Messi who drove the ball in with his left foot from an acute angle.

World Player of the Year Messi then sustained a hamstring injury and had to go off at halftime, replaced by Cesc Fabregas.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave PSG a lifeline when he scrambled in the equaliser after a soaring header from Thiago Silva hit the post in the 79th minute.

Xavi calmly restored Barca’s advantage from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu rushed off his line in the 89th minute and brought down Alexis Sanchez.

Matuidi then struck with the last kick of the game as his long-range shot eluded the outstretched fingers of keeper Victor Valdes.

Midfielder Matuidi and Barca defender Javier Mascherano were booked and will miss the second leg at the Nou Camp on April 10 through suspension.

David Beckham became the first British player to appear for four different clubs in the Champions League when he was named in the starting lineup.

The former England captain did well in midfield before he was taken off midway through the second half.

“I think we deserved a draw tonight,” Beckham told ITV Sport. “There’s no reason why we can’t go there and get a result.

“I was very happy, the manager (Carlo Ancelotti) has always shown confidence in me. Tonight was a big moment for the club – it doesn’t get much better than these nights.”

PSG, unbeaten at home in all competitions since November 17, went for Barca’s throat in the opening stages but were not rewarded for their efforts.

They went close in the fifth minute when Javier Pastore chested an Ibrahimovic pass into the path of Ezequiel Lavezzi who struck Valdes’s right post.

Lavezzi wasted another good opportunity five minutes later, shooting straight at Valdes after collecting a brilliant through ball from Lucas.

Pastore then fired a powerful low shot that forced Valdes to dive to his right.

The Spain keeper was at full stretch again as he stopped Ibrahimovic’s 20m free kick.

Barca only had Andres Iniesta’s curling shot – which went wide – to show for their silky passing as PSG stamped their authority on the game.

Thiago Silva thwarted the dangerous Messi as the Argentine dribbled his way towards goal before Lucas released Ibrahimovic and the Sweden striker’s low shot went wide.

Lucas’s dazzling runs were a nightmare to handle for Barca but it was the visitors who took the lead.

Messi was in acres of space 12 metres out and he beat Sirigu to notch his eighth goal in this season’s competition.

PSG seemed to be running out of steam when Ibrahimovic, looking suspiciously offside when Thiago Silva hit the woodwork, levelled from two metres.

Xavi was coolness personified as he wrong-footed Sirigu from the penalty spot to put Barca 2-1 up but Matuidi sent the crowd wild with delight with his late goal. (Editing by Tony Jimenez)

Meanwhile, soon-to-be German champions Bayern easily beat Serie A leaders Juventus in Munich with keeper Gianluigi Buffon suffering a blip, like fellow Italian Sirigu, as he failed to keep out David Alaba’s long distance deflected strike in less than 30 seconds.

Buffon could later only parry a Luiz Gustavo effort from 25 metres and Mario Mandzukic was on hand to pass across for Thomas Mueller to net a 63rd minute tap-in, leaving an unusually shaky Juve with a tough ask in the second leg in Turin next Wednesday.

Real Madrid host Galatasaray and Malaga entertain Borussia Dortmund in Wednesday’s remaining first legs

“We were facing a great team, we were very confident, but we have nothing to complain about, because Bayern clearly deserved this victory and they also had other chances to score more during the game,” admitted the veteran goalkeeper.

Bayern take a significant lead to Turin for next Wednesday’s return leg after an early goal from Austria’s David Alaba and a second-half strike from Germany’s Thomas Mueller at the Allianz Arena put the Germans in pole position.

“We know there is still the return leg to play and we can certainly hope for a comeback,” said Juventus’ veteran Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

“Obviously it’s never easy when you play away and you concede a goal after less than one minute, but Bayern played better than us for the entire 90 minutes.

“It was very difficult for us to play our normal game.”

Juventus coach Antonio Conte said that his side had done well considering they had been facing one of the biggest team’s in club football.

“Bayern Munich are a super power and therefore are favourites for the title along with Barcelona and Real,” he said.

“You can feel they have something to prove after the lost final against Chelsea,”

With both sides top of their respective leagues, Bundesliga giants Bayern are bidding to reach their third Champions League final in four years while Juventus have won all five of their previous European quarter-finals against German teams.

The Italians will have to produce a top performance in Turin if they are to maintain that record as Bayern dominated, but victory came at a price with midfielder Toni Kroos expected to miss six weeks with a groin injury.

“It doesn’t look so good for Toni, we’re waiting for more results of tests, he’s an important player for us,” added Heynckes.

Heynckes demonstrated Bayern’s strength in depth by leaving Peru striker Claudio Pizarro on the bench — despite scoring four goals in Saturday’s 9-2 rout of Hamburg — with Mario Mandzukic starting as the lone striker.

“We are happy to have won, while keeping an Italian team scoreless, and I am happy with the manner,” said Heynckes.

“That was a high-class game for long periods and we controlled the game against the Italian champions.

“That was a remarkable performance from my team.

“We studied Juventus closely, prepared well for this game and we managed to disturb their game early and take Pirlo out of the game.”

Bayern needed just 26 seconds to take the lead when Alaba launched a left-footed rocket from 35 metres out which gave Buffon no chance.

Munich kept up the pressure and the second goal came on 63 minutes when Gustavo fired in a long-range shot, which Buffon parried, but Mandzukic was on hand to square the ball for Mueller to tap in.

There was more bad news for the Italians as midfielders Arturo Vidal and Stephan Lichtsteiner will both miss the return leg after picking up second-half bookings.

With Munich aiming to become the first German club to claim the treble of domestic league, cup and Champions League titles, Bayern can wrap up the Bundesliga on Saturday if they win at Eintracht Frankfurt.

With seven games left and a 20-point lead, it would be the earliest confirmed title win in the German league’s history.

Sir Alex Ferguson had a winning start of the racing season

MANCHESTER, England   ●   For Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson the season is winding down rapidly.

It seems almost impossible to not win the title in the Premier League with only a few matches remaining and a lead even the best race horse will envy.

Although football will always be number one for Sir Alex Ferguson the races must be a great outlet for the ever so competitive manager who this season has not much more to win than the precious league title.

So it must have been great for Ferguson to have an ever so fantastic start of the horse racing season when The Manchester United manager’s nine-year-old gelding, ridden by Mattie Batchelor, finished 15 lengths clear in the Jacquie Chambers Hurdle.

Before the start ‘If I had him’ was already the favorite on many of the horse racing betting websites  and during the race he for sure did not disappoint.

For his trainer, George Baker, it was a successful first visit to Jersey – winning the first and then the last race with I’m Harry.

He said: “I’m thrilled. I love Jersey but I would say that, having won two races. And I know Sir Alex will be pleased, at least that’s one trophy he’ll have won this weekend after Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup!”

Coming Alex Ferguson hopes the give extra cachet to the Premier League title with a win over Manchester City in one of the most anticipated derby’s of the season.

“It was disappointing (to lose against Chelsea), of course, but we have to forget all about it and move on to the game against City next Monday”, the United boss said.

“We are in a good position obviously and I think a positive result for us on Monday will just about seal the title for us.”

Losing at home to Annan Athletic and the defeat and draw at Stirling Albion were undoubtedly embarrassing results for all Rangers supporters – but anyone who thought the Light Blues would march through the fourth tier without dropping a single point were either naive or just deluded.

Every week Rangers are on the receiving end of a cup tie, with their opponent raising their game beyond their regular level of talent. The Gers, meanwhile, see it as just another game. And although it is fair to say there have been some shocking performances this season, putting the blame on McCoist is pretty unfair.

Now, this column is not one written in blind loyalty to a man who stood tall during the darkest time in the club’s history. It is written in the belief that Rangers’ on-pitch issues go beyond whoever is sat in the manager’s office, and here are four reasons why Ally should still be in charge next season.

No real pre-season planning

How do you prepare for a new season when players are walking out and you do not even know what division you are playing in? Pre-season tours were cancelled and they were restricted to behind-closed-door games against the likes of Airdrie – without a proper squad in place. McCoist deserves a full pre-season that will allow him to assemble a squad without resembling a last ditch scramble to the bar after the bell goes at 11pm. And that brings me to…

Transfer embargoes

Not knowing what division Rangers would be in meant they could not move in the transfer market and they undoubtedly missed out on some decent players. Thankfully for McCoist he was able to land the likes of Dean Shiels and Francisco Sandaza – but the chances are he may have overlooked the likes of Anestis Argyriou, Emilson Cirbari and Kevin Kyle when building for life in the third tier. While an embargo is still hanging over their heads, at least Rangers have room to move this year.

You don’t win EVERYTHING with kids

How many of the young lads in the Rangers side on matchdays would have even been in the first team picture had Rangers not collapsed? These are inexperienced kids learning their trade at the toughest end of Scottish football – and it cannot be easy playing under the expectation that comes with being a Rangers player.

Young gems unearthed

But while the kids have had their struggles at times, it has to be said that McCoist and his staff have unearthed some gems. Barry McKay, Lewis Mcleod and Frazer Aird have all shown great potential, having been given an opportunity they would not have got in recent years. Under McCoist they have flourished and there is no reason why that cannot continue under the leadership of “Super Ally”.

Written by Leigh Copson from Bettingpro.com, the number one source for sports betting tips, breaking news and expert views.