The league title race mind-games effect Man Utd 1992-93 Bryan Robson WHAT HAPPENED: United won the title by 10 points from Aston Villa. We had lost the league to Leeds the previous year when a fixture pile-up at the end of the season saw us play four games in seven days. But that near-miss worked in our favour because we knew we were the better team. Our problem was the pressure of United's 26-year wait for the title. The secret is to keep doubt from your minds. We were able to do that and pulled clear in the run-in. Blackburn 1994-95 Colin Hendry WHAT HAPPENED: Blackburn won league, one point clear of United. Kenny Dalglish, as manager, was crucial to the way we dealt with the run-in. After winning so many titles with Liverpool, he just told us not to say or do anything that could come back and bite us. Sir Alex Ferguson said we would "have to do a Devon Loch" to blow the title, but it backfired on him. We lost at Anfield on the final day, but won the league with United only drawing at West Ham, so they did a Devon Loch. Newcastle 1995-96 Rob Lee WHAT HAPPENED: Newcastle blew a 12-point lead to finish four points behind United. "A lot has been made of Ferguson and his mind games, but I didn't think at the time "he's got to us." Kevin gave the interview on TV which has become famous, but he'd go off on one at least once a week. I think the pressure got to us because suddenly, after playing brilliantly all season, we realised we could win Newcastle's first title since 1927. United were relentless, winning 13 of last 15. Arsenal 1997-98 Emmanuel Petit WHAT HAPPENED: Arsenal overhauled United in final two months to win title. It's always difficult when you are fighting for titles because the pressure is so high, but the more you unite as a team, the stronger you become. Arsène Wenger centralised our emotions and was very calm. We didn't ignore the mind games because they can be a motivation. Beating United at Old Trafford gave us so much confidence. Everything came together and we were unstoppable. Arsenal 1998-99 Nigel Winterburn WHAT HAPPENED: United finished one ahead of Arsenal. We were level on points going into the final week, when we lost 1-0 at Leeds. That was the game that cost us. I got carried off and I later found out we had lost. What other managers are saying doesn't really affect you, but the mental side is important. Most of the pressure is on the team chasing because you get to a stage where you can't afford to drop points. United's advantage was more significant than people realise. Liverpool 2008-09 Jamie Carragher WHAT HAPPENED: Liverpool were top in early April but were edged out by United. "It was rubbish to suggest Rafa's "fact" press conference was the moment the title was lost. There were 19 games left. It was the performances of the players, not some argument between the managers, that was influential. We lost the title by four points in the end. It wasn't about mind games, it was about United's ability to find a way to win in the tightest games when we had to settle for a point.