Pride of the city of Manchester

Talking Predictions

Man City 2 Man United 2

There is no need to write about any other game anywhere this weekend because of the significance of the Manchester derby. In the word’s of Sir Alex Ferguson, it is the biggest derby in his time as United boss.

I may not be a supporter of either team but all I can do is envy the people who inhabit the city of Manchester. If there is any place I would rather be on Monday night, it is Manchester. If I were a mayor of any city, it would still be Manchester especially in these times. I’m going round in circles because for some reason, I don’t know which way this game is going to go. May be I should follow my uncle’s advice; he called to beg me not to give United a win.

He argues that whenever I give them a win, they lose. And the reverse is true. I almost fell for it but then remembered that he was only feeling the pressure. I can’t blame him because this one is too close to call.The only clear thing about this game is in the strength of both squads. Manchester City have by far the strongest squad in the Premiership and if trophies were to be won on the strength of personel, we would not be talking about this game.

City’s pockets have bought them some of the best players the game has to offer and the fact that they have invested over four hundred million pounds on players over the last three season speaks volumes of how much they want to usurp the powers that be. Well, now that we know that squads don’t win you trophies, what must these two teams do to win this year’s title? Manchester City have only one option - to beat United.

A draw or loss will not be enough as I can’t see United dropping points in the remaining games. Beating United is not beyond City as they have already proved it but its games like this that define the team called Manchester United. There will not be any sign that City beat United 6-1 in this season. And United will not play for a draw ; something which makes them very dangerous.

Still, you suspect that United may fail to measure up to the strength of City on the pitch more so if they defend the way they did against Everton. City will have all their players available after Richards recovered from a thigh injury and enigmatic Mario Balloteli completed his suspension. For United, longterm injuries to Vidic, Fletcher and Anderson mean they are short of depth. The champions will however not worry much because the available players are capable of producing a result.

In the corresponding fixture, it was the midfield that never showed up for United. If Utd can make it tight, they stand a chance. Both teams do score goals and this being a Monday game, expect goals in droves. My uncle never told me what it means if I predict a stalemate.