Jinx keeps Sir Alex Ferguson from Peterborough final

Darren Ferguson (left) will lead Posh out at the home of his father, Sir Alex

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson says superstition will keep his father, Sir Alex, away from Sunday's League One play-off final.

The clash against Huddersfield will be played at Old Trafford, the home of Ferguson Senior's Premier League Champions Manchester United.

And the Posh boss admits he was worried his successful dad would be a jinx.

"I wasn't going to tell him to stay away, but I think he is going to," he told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"He understands it, these superstitious things, you know what they're like.

"He doesn't mind staying away and we win.

"If he comes, he comes, is it going to make a difference on the pitch? You wouldn't think so would you, but these superstitious people are a bit strange aren't they?"

"I don't think the chairman's father's going either.

Ferguson Junior's emotional connection to Old Trafford goes beyond his father's success at the club.

Darren started his career at United 21 years ago, making 30 appearances in the Red Devils' midfield before moving on to Wolves and Wrexham.

"There are the obvious questions and connections but I won't be thinking 'it's Old Trafford, we have to do it'," he said. "It could be anywhere.

"I don't mind being asked about it because it may take away the pressure from the players.

"But it doesn't really make a difference to me where it is, and I mean that, because the goal is to get to the Championship.

"I'm quite good at putting that sort of thing to the back of my mind."

Posh defeated MK Dons 4-3 over two legs to earn their spot in Sunday's final and a chance to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

But Feguson's dad has his own final to contend with the day before Peterborough's trip to Old Trafford, when his side take on Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley.