Liverpool's James Milner won’t ‘waste energy’ on watching Manchester United vs City

James Milner has said he won’t be ‘wasting energy’ on watching Manchester City's Premier League clash with United, but joked this will be the first time in his life he throws his support behind the Old Trafford club.

Liverpool returned to the top of the table following their 2-0 win at Cardiff, with City now set to play their game in hand against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men on Wednesday night.

Should the reigning champions fail to come away with anything but a win, Liverpool will be poised to win their first Premier League title – assuming they hold their nerves in the three remaining games of the season.

But Miler, who came off the bench on Sunday to score a penalty against the Bluebirds, said he won’t be watching Wednesday’s crunch showdown at Old Trafford.

“I don’t watch them [City], to be honest,” he said. “It’s a bit of a waste of energy, isn’t it, willing the ball into the goal and things like that. I can’t do anything about it.

“Maybe I’ll put my phone away for a couple of hours and check it after. Maybe I’ll go and grab some food or whatever.

“There are three games left. United will be a challenge, but it’s the old cliché – any game is tough in the Premier League no matter who you play. To try and win a league title is not easy, whoever you play. Trust me, I know. Remember QPR [in 2012]? To beat anyone is tough when it is all on the line.

“We’ve still got some tough games ourselves, and we have to win those and keep the pressure up.”

As a former Leeds United and Manchester City player, Milner was also asked if he’d be supporting United. “It’ll be the first time in my life,” he joked at the Cardiff City Stadium.

He added: “I don’t want to start talking about that. I can’t control it. I don’t want to do a Kevin Keegan situation. I’m sure it’ll be a good game, between two good teams.”

Liverpool’s next game comes against Huddersfield at home, followed by the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie against Barcelona.