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The biggest game of the English Premier League season so far is this Sunday. Surprisingly, it doesn’t involve Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea. Not so surprisingly, the game features Manchester United.
The 161st edition of the Manchester derby is upon us and it is set to provide more excitement than a Ryan Giggs sex scandal. It won’t only be local bragging rights on the line when United take on Manchester City, this game could have a major bearing on who wins the premiership.
City are in first place and United are just two points behind them in second.
Although the season is still in its infancy, it appears that the traditional group that make up the “big four” clubs of English football are quickly changing into the “big two”. Manchester is fast becoming the centre of the English football universe.
The last time these two sides met was during English football’s traditional curtain raiser for the season at Wembley Stadium, the FA Community Shield. Though I prefer to call it the ‘Not a Real Trophy’ shield.
City raced to a 2-0 half-time lead thanks to goals from Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko. United got back into the match with early second half goals to Chris Smalling and Granny. Sorry, Nani.
In the fourth minute of injury time United snatched victory thanks to a second goal from Nani and claimed the first silverware of the season.
A late goal for the red side of Manchester is not uncommon. United’s knack for late goals during their time under legendary Scottish manager Alex Ferguson is uncanny.
Whether you feel this is as a result of their hard work and perseverance or them being as jammy as that guy you know who wins every raffle he enters, it can’t be denied that it has been crucial to United’s success. They do it so frequently that injury time is often called “Fergie-time”.
The Red Devils come into this weekend’s game on the back of two slightly uninspiring results. A hard fought, albeit relatively dull, 1-1 draw at Liverpool last weekend was followed by a comfortable 2-0 win mid-week in the Champions League against the all conquering European powerhouse that is Romania’s Ostelul Galati. The latter came courtesy of two Wayne Rooney penalties.
United have been clinical going forward so far this season but at the back have been about as organised as a teenager’s bedroom that has been set on fire. Injuries have played their part, and young defender Phil Jones looks like a bit of a find for them, but there is no doubting that this isn’t the traditional sturdy United back four.
Though I suppose if Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and company (not Kompany, he plays for City) keep banging in goals like they are playing against the Wythenshawe Amateurs third division reserves, United may be able to overcome the burden of having a toothless defence.
Table-toppers City are probably in slightly better form having dispatched Aston Villa 4-1 last weekend and then defeating Villarreal 2-1 in their mid-week Champions league match. However both of those games were at home and, with this match at Old Trafford, City cannot expect for things to go quite as smoothly.
The Blues weren’t altogether convincing against the Spaniards. In fact they did “a United” and scored deep into injury time to claim the win. Sergio Aguero late winner came with him sliding in at the far post to meet a Pablo Zabaleta cross from the right wing.
This inspired manager Roberto Mancini to do the mash potato dance in celebration.
Like United, City also look a tad shaky at the back. Blues’ captain Vincent Kompany appears the only player in defence who plays with any authority.
Similarly again, City have been sublime when going forward. Aguero and Edin Dzeko have led the line well when required.
Even Mario Balotelli has stopped being mental for long enough to bag a few goals.
City’s most influential player though has been the little Spanish attacking midfielder David Silva.
Silva has grown in stature (metaphorically) for the Blues and his creativity and poise have been scintillating to watch. Plus, his play sometimes features more pirouettes than Swan Lake.
Most importantly Silva appears to have adapted to the pace and physicality of the Premier League after being pushed off the ball a lot prior to this season.
Besides deciding on which dance to do for his next celebration, the biggest challenge for Roberto Mancini appears to be if he can keep his players in line.
Forward Carlos Tevez has been suspended by the club for his recent petulance and, with lots of egos and big paychecks in the dressing room, City will be hoping schoolyard behaviour like that doesn’t catch on.
I’m predicting the game will have a few goals in it and finish a 2-2 draw. That being said, my blue blood wouldn’t exactly be disappointed to be proven wrong by a City win.
I’ll also be hoping for as little “Fergie-time” as possible.
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