Roy Keane has claimed that losing the Premier League title to Manchester City would hurt Sir Alex Ferguson more than Manchester United's early exit from the Champions League.
The Red Devils failed to make it out of the group stages of the competition for the first time since 2005 when they suffered defeat against Basel in December.
However, former United captain Keane believes that domestic triumph for City would damage his former manager more.
"Failing to make the knockout stages of the Champions League was bad enough for Manchester United, but, believe me, losing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City would hurt manager Alex Ferguson a lot more," he told The Sun.
"When he arrived at Old Trafford 25 years ago, he spoke of wanting to knock Liverpool off their perch. United did that and they don't want to be toppled themselves — least of all by City."
United are currently second behind City in the Premier League table on goal difference.
