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In The Stands looks ahead to the first Manchester derby of the season as Manchester United host Manchester City at Old Trafford. Our crystal balls are out!
So when do ‘noisy neighbours’ become more than a nuisance. When do they become more than a racket and more specifically do those noisy neighbours annoy you more than what even you ever thought they could do?
The answer in footballing terms is when they sit two points ahead in the Premier League table, have a better goal difference, harbour plenty more ‘cash-to-splash’ and are looking to dethrone your side as kings of the city.
We leave it to yourselves to guess who exactly represents who in this context. But essentially this is what the reinvigorated Manchester derby has metamorphosized into.
It has gone beyond mere city bragging rights, it has surpassed pub banter and even jokes about bare cupboards and no cups.
Biggest Manchester Derby Ever?
So has the Manchester derby exceeded the Milan derby, El Clasico, ‘La Classique’ or even Manchester United vs Liverpool as the number 1 rivalry in Europe?
Not yet, although with the rapid rise of Roberto Mancini’s men and the growing sense of purpose and confidence stirring within the Eastlands camp, the feeling is that soon – very soon – the 2011 FA Cup winners will become Sir Alex Ferguson’s greatest nemesis in this era.
In recent years the two sides have traded punches more weightier than Ali and Foreman did in the infamous Rumble in the Jungle and that trend looks to continue come Sunday in front of the watching millions.
Manchester United Have The Upperhand
A positive for hosts Manchester United is that they hold all the aces when it comes to squaring up against their city rivals at the Theatre of Dreams.
Aside from the fact that City have not beaten a top four side (that is Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal or Fergie’s men themselves) away from home since 2010 when they trounced Chelsea 2-4, United have won the last three Manchester derbies between the pair at Old Trafford, and 24 out of their last 25 Premier League home games.
Wayne Rooney as well seems to have a salaciously large desire to break City hearts having bagged five league goals against the blue half of Manchester – and of course that legendary overhead kick in last season’s 2-1 win.
Snuffing out United’s number 10 will be of chief concern for Mancini’s men. A quiet reminder that the Premier League champions have already beaten Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham at Old Trafford and also grabbed a good 1-1 draw at Anfield will serve as a warning for Sunday’s visitors as the rest of the league watches on in fascination.
Likely Line-Ups:
Manchester United: De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Young, Chicharito, Rooney.
Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Barry, Aguero, Silva, Nasri, Dzeko.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-2 Manchester City.
Are we set for another classic? Perhaps depending on Roberto Mancini’s tactics and mind set. Player-for-player, City seem to preponderate, the question is how well can they function against a team who they know have a mental edge on them?
See Also: Manchester United vs Manchester City Classic Matches
Related posts:
- Manchester United vs Manchester City: Balotelli Warns United Fans
- Manchester United vs Manchester City: Classic Matches
- Manchester City v Manchester United: 2011 Community Shield Preview
- Barcelona v Manchester United 2011 – Prediction
- Wayne Rooney Overhead Kick vs Manchester City; ‘Never Again’ Vows Micah Richards
