Neville: We have to take our punishment

Gary Neville admits Manchester United will be left kicking themselves if they come up short in the title race this season.

The United skipper says Sir Alex Ferguson's players have only themselves to blame for allowing Chelsea to seize control of the title race with just one game to go.

And the 35-year-old right-back, who has signed a contract extension to stay on for one more season, conceded Fergie's players had been the architects of their own downfall.

"I think when you leave it in the hands of others, you've got to take the punishment for it," said Neville. "And we saw that last Sunday.

"We did our job, which is all we could do, and now we must hope something happens next Sunday.

"We live in hope. After the Blackburn game a few weeks ago we thought all hope had gone, so at least we're still in it.

"But we'll be kicking ourselves if it doesn't go our way on Sunday. The mistakes that we've made have been unusual. But then every team will be looking at it the same way.

"Every team has lost games. It's been a crazy season and I hope we don't come to regret it come Sunday evening. But if we do then we'll have to learn from that next season."

With Chelsea a point ahead of United going into the final day, Carlo Ancelotti's men need only to overcome Wigan at Stamford Bridge to secure their first title since 2005.

United host Stoke at Old Trafford, but even a win over Tony Pulis' side will be rendered irrelevant if Chelsea - as expected - take three points against Wigan.

Rio Ferdinand, whose campaign has been blighted by a back problem and other related injuries, admitted United are hoping the unpredictable season has one more twist to come.

"There have been so many teams taking points off the so-called big four this season," said Ferdinand.

"Usually the big teams have beaten everyone else and then end up dropping points to each other.

"But this season has been a bit weird and hopefully that bodes well on Sunday when Wigan go to Chelsea."