With two matches to play, both Manchester clubs are on 83 points but City lead on goal difference.
Roberto Mancini's City have scored 88 goals and conceded 27 for a goal difference of 61 while United have scored 86 goals and conceded 33 for a difference of 53.
Arsenal's Michael Thomas scored with almost the last kick of the final game of the season to give his side a 2-0 win at Liverpool that clinched the title by virtue of Arsenal having scored more goals over the season.
City's last two matches are at Newcastle United, who are chasing a Champions League place, and home to relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers.
'WORST NIGHTMARE'
Gary Neville, who retired as a United player last season, told Sky Sports that losing the title on goal difference was manager Sir Alex Ferguson's "worst nightmare".
"Losing a championship on goal difference is what he always talks about, every single season," said Neville.
"In January, in February, in March, whatever month it is, going for a championship he will say: 'If you're 1-0, 2-0 up, score three, score four'.
"You never know whether it's going to get to goal difference."
"Look at games like Fulham at home 1-0, QPR at home 2-0, and it's these sort of things you look back at during a season an think, 'we could we have done more'.
"It is his worst nightmare."
Ferguson told ESPN he thought Mancini had been "badgering officials" during the match.
