‘We never seem to get decisions, Chelsea got one to win the league last season’ – the key quotes in this season’s rivalry between Manchester United…

The thrills and spills of the title race are nothing without some mind games along the way, Sir Alex Ferguson will tell you that.

But come Sunday, when his side face the only team likely to scupper their chances of a record 19th title, the rhetoric will have to stop as both sides look to let their feet do the talking.

From scorn to sycophancy, the noises coming from both Manchester and west London have been an eclectic mix, adding a extra little spice off the pitch as each team slug it out on it.

Goal.com have compiled the best quotes of the season from both the red and the blue corner, with both sides looking to have the last word at Old Trafford come Sunday.

“You have to think that Chelsea, having won the league last season, are going to be the favourites – the team that’s won it the previous year is the team you’re going to try to knock off their perch.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has got a bit of a thing for knocking teams off their perches hasn’t he? Starting the season in typically combative mood back in August.

“We are the double winners and the best team in the country.”

Not that the ever modest John Terry disagreed with the United boss.

“Chelsea are a strong team with strong experience. That’s the difference between the two teams. Arsenal are the better footballers but Chelsea are the better, stronger team.“

Never one to pass up the opportunity to deliver a backhanded compliment, Ferguson (kind of) praises the Stamford Bridge outfit.

“I think Manchester United’s strength is that they keep going from the first day until the last day of the season.”

Petr Cech, on the other hand, has been in far more diplomatic mood by praising the Premier League leaders. Does he not understand that we want snidey mind games?

“To be honest with you, it looks as if the player Ramires made the most of it. If it was a penalty, it’s the first decision we’ve had here in seven years, so I don’t feel guilty.”

That’s more like it from Ferguson, flat out refusing to accept that Chelsea deserved a penalty in the sides’ Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge, having seen Ramires brought down by Patrice Evra in the last minute.

“You have to compare me with Ferguson. It’s a different position. Ferguson has total control of the team. I am just technical direction. Full stop.”

Carlo Ancelotti gets a touch of the green-eyed monster having seen his assistant Ray Wilkins sacked by the Chelsea board – a decision which the Italian insisted was nothing to do with him.

“Obviously, it gives Chelsea a major chance now and that’s what happens. They got great decisions for them. We never seem to get these kind of decisions. They seem to be getting them. They got one to win the league at Old Trafford last season so that’s a worry.”

Quite staggeringly, Ferguson accused referees of favouring Chelsea following the decision to award Frank Lampard’s “ghost goal” against Spurs at Stamford Bridge. Unsurprisingly, he passed off Nemanja Vidic’s clear handball against Arsenal the next day. 

“For a start, United were supposed to play against Chelsea and I couldn’t see them winning that.”

Samir Nasri, like the child shouting ‘FIGHT, FIGHT’ in the school playground, offered his insight in to who he thought was the stronger side following Arsenal’s victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s men at the Emirates in December.

“It seems to be an obsession for them to win a European Cup, that is certainly why they signed Fernando Torres, there is no question about that in my mind.”

Sir Alex offers his insight as to why the Blues forked out £50 million for Fernando Torres ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg at Stamford Bridge.

Roo’ve got to have faith | Carlo backed striker during slump in form

“I think that, obviously, Rooney is the most dangerous player in the squad.”

When all others had lost faith in the United striker, Ancelotti kindly backed his rivals’ talisman during the poorest run of form in his career.

“If you don’t recognise who won the league the year before, you’re very foolish. It is not easy winning the league, even if it was only by a point. They still won the league and they’re a very experienced, formidable side and anybody who finishes above Chelsea will win the league.”

Even back in November, Sir Alex predicted that the season would come down to a fight between his side and the Stamford Bridge outfit. Spooky.

“We are too far from Man United to win the league.”

Having seen his side beat Ferguson’s top of the table side back in March, Ancelotti delivers a great big pat on the back to his side by saying that it was all in vein anyway.

“Going to Old Trafford and winning can only do us the world of good in years to come and this year.”

It would appear that John Terry is looking forward to his trip to Manchester.

“There’s no bigger spur than going to Old Trafford and winning to put ourselves right in the frame for bringing the Premier League trophy back to the Bridge. It’s the feeling that will drive us on.”

Yes, Terry is definitely excited about going to Old Trafford. 

“Ballack’s contract came to an end, Belletti’s contract came to an end. They have been replacing these players with younger ones such as Danny Sturridge and the young boy Josh McEachran. So maybe that’s why their results have been erratic.”

Hang on, is Ferguson saying that you’ll never win anything with kids? 

“All we could do was win all our matches and hope United dropped points to let us back in the title race. In these games, there is a lot of pressure but it is in the big games that you see our players’ character.”

Florent Malouda has ramped up the pressure on the league leaders ahead of the meeting in Manchester.

“We have a massive game against Chelsea. If we want to win the title then we have to beat Chelsea – it’s as simple as that. If we don’t beat them then we’ll be in trouble.”

Patrice Evra tries to rally his team-mates by frightening them ahead of Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford.

“At Old Trafford we are not afraid of anyone. We believe in ourselves against Chelsea as well.”

Whereas Park Ji-Sung offered an on-the-whole more optimistic outlook before the sides’ Champions League fixture at the Theatre of Dreams last month.