Sir Alex Ferguson: Manchester City are on top but this club loves a challenge

Dave and Angela Dawes from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire might have been a little surprised to hear themselves mentioned in the build-up to a big derby game, but by comparing the EuroMillions lottery-winning couple to Manchester City, Sir Alex Ferguson was inadvertently making a point.

Money changes lives. Money changes everything.

And having seen Jack Walker's millions and Roman Abramovich's billions transform Blackburn and Chelsea into Premier League title winners during his reign at Old Trafford, Ferguson knows it is pointless trying to pretend otherwise.

Confident mood: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

The important thing is how his players respond to change this time. How they meet a challenge that began as an extravagant spending spree just over three years ago but appears on their doorstep on Sunday in the form of a genuine threat to United's dominance of English football.

City never were going to be just noisy neighbours after the Abu Dhabi takeover, and he knew it.

That Roberto Mancini's side go to Old Trafford as league leaders and FA Cup holders emphasises how much a rivalry that used to exist for little more than 180 minutes each season in United's eyes has grown into something more serious.

'It's a six-pointer, no doubt about that,' said Ferguson. 'Whichever team wins, it makes a difference but it's early doors and you can recover from it.

One of life's turning points: EuroMillions winners Dave and Angela Dawes

'There are a lot of winning posts along the way and one of the winning posts is Sunday's game. It could be a significant point of the season.'

United's defeat in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in April was pivotal and not only because it opened the door to City's first trophy in 35 years. They lost a big game that mattered equally to both clubs and that hurt them.

At Old Trafford it's a little different. United have been beaten in the derby at home before, of course, but not since the takeover. Not since things changed.

Four wins out of four sounds impressive enough, but it has taken a dramatic injury-time winner from Michael Owen in the 4-3 thriller two years ago and Wayne Rooney's overhead kick in February to maintain the status quo.

Upstaging United at Ferguson's Theatre of Dreams would be the ultimate statement of intent by City, and he is determined to make sure it does not happen.

'The semi-final was a turning point because they won the Cup,' said Ferguson. 'It was the first time they'd won something for 35 years - that is a turning point.

We all reach points and say, "This is a different life now", whether it's a job or winning the lottery. Look at that couple who won £110million in the lottery. Do you not think that was a turning point in their life? We all have points in our lives when it happens.

'We never expect anybody to go away but what we try to do is make sure we are the better one. The important thing is we don't go away.

'City are where they are at the top of the league at the moment and at this club we always accept a challenge. We've done that time and time again.

And another one: City win their first major trophy in 35 years

'It doesn't matter where the challenges come from in this league, you know every year you are going to have to beat someone. This year it may be City.

'It's another situation, another game in the history of the club and we have to see about it. I enjoy that.

'It's the type of challenge we have accepted well over the years. When Blackburn came along and took the title off us we reacted the right way so it didn't do us any harm. It was good for the game.

'You don't always want to be behind a club in the way we were for a couple of years with Chelsea but we showed the vigour and determination that got us back in front of that particular club.

'On Sunday we have another situation against an emerging City team that's gone to the top of the league.'

Fierce rivalry: Ferguson and Mancini are vying for pole position in the Premier League

Both teams go into the game unbeaten but United have not been in the best of form for a month now. Defensively they have struggled, with Ferguson having to name a different back four on nine occasions, and going forward they have lost the sparkle that brought 28 goals in eight games in all competitions - including a 3-2 win over City in the Community Shield.

Their opponents have had their problems as well, of course, and it was interesting to hear Ferguson once again complimenting Mancini over his handling of the Carlos Tevez controversy.

Although the praise sounded sincere, it would not be the first time he has indulged in a bit of kidology before a big game.

Whether he is as generous towards Mancini at half past three tomorrow remains to be seen.