Premier League Preview: Manchester City v Manchester United
For the first time in years, Manchester City could enter Saturday afternoon’s Manchester derby as favourites for victory against their old rivals, Manchester United.
Stuck in football’s doldrums since the 1970s, United fans have always made sure the City faithful know exactly how long it’s been since they last lifted a trophy. A banner on the second tier of the Stretford End currently reads 35 years – a cruel reminder that it’s been that long since a piece of silverware made its way into the dusty trophy cabinet at the City of Manchester Stadium.
At some point during every match played at Old Trafford, the chant, “This is how it feels to be City, this is how it feels to be small. This is how it feels when your team wins nothing at all...” will reverberate around all four corners of the ground.
City supporters have had to endure decades of stick as a result of their distinct lack of success. However, that seems likely to come to an abrupt end soon because change is clearly underway at Eastlands.
Perceived by United as their irritating little brothers, rather than true rivals to be wary of, for a long time now; this rivalry hasn’t carried the same significance in past seasons as it will from now on. A power-shift is the buzz word at the moment, and although City have much to do before that notion can be taken seriously, there’s no doubting the fact that they are now a major threat.
With millions of pounds at their disposal and the likes of Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy already plying their trade for the blue half of Manchester under the leadership of a manager with a world-class reputation in the form of Roberto Mancini; the future could hardly look brighter for their long-suffering fans.
Currently locked in a battle for fourth spot with Tottenham Hotspur, for the chance of bringing Champions League football to the City of Manchester Stadium, Mancini and his men will move a significant step closer to achieving that dream with a victory over their rivals this weekend. A prospect made all the sweeter for the City faithful with the knowledge that victory will severely dent United’s rapidly-fading hopes of lifting the Premier League trophy next month.
The two teams come into this weekend’s fixture in vastly contrasting form. A fortnight ago, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were still in contention for a Premier League/Champions League double. But now, following two massive defeats against Bayern Munich and Chelsea, and then a disappointing 0-0 draw against Blackburn Rovers, the wheels have come off on both their domestic and European campaigns.
It’s now more than quite conceivable that United will end the season with just the League Cup to their name – it’s expected.
United are famous for going on winning runs in the final few months of the season - they’ve done precisely that in the past three campaigns to win a hat-trick of titles.
That form has abandoned Fergie’s men this season, though; and instead, it’s their rivals who are enjoying a purple patch with just five matches left to play.
City have scored 14 goals in their last three Premier League matches, and have lost just once in their last 10. Initially, the knives were out for Mancini after he took the reins from Mark Hughes - speculation was rife that he would be sacked at the end of the season. But the Italian has begun to make his influence felt, and now appears settled and content with life in England. City, meanwhile, are reaping the benefits.
The club’s star player, Tevez, obviously has history when it comes to this fixture. Nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award on Thursday, the Argentinian has been a revelation since making the switch from United last summer. With 28 goals in his first season, he’s carried the look of a man h**l-bent on proving a point this season. How he would love to score a brace on Saturday afternoon to take his tally to 30 for the campaign. In his current vein of form, he has every chance of doing so.
Tevez played a huge role in the League Cup semi-finals back in January; but despite his best efforts, it was his former employers who edged their way into the final. A similar performance from the Argentina international striker could potentially put an end to United’s hopes of lifting the Premier League trophy for a record fourth season in a row.
Ferguson allowed Tevez to leave Old Trafford last season after showing little faith in him throughout his second season at the club. With every inch of his being, the striker will be desperate to come back to haunt the Red Devils’ manager this weekend.
In a fixture of this magnitude, the big players will often play a starring role. Tevez, undoubtedly a big game player, may be about to play the most significant role of all in this dramatic Premier League campaign, by inspiring City to beat United.
Prediction: Manchester City 3 Manchester United 2
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