The Titans of Manchester

Manchester is but an uneasy cauldron of emotions brewing up, just a couple of days before the derby that matters. The city is divided into two factions, who with baited breath are soaked in anticipation about the big game at the Etihad Stadium on Monday, the 30^th. It is being billed as the biggest Manchester Derby ever, since City went to play at Old Trafford in 1974. A notorious back heel from former United legend Denis Law, who was playing for City then, sent the reds into relegation. A moment, that haunts Law even to this day.

The last two decades have however seen the resurgence of United as THE force in English football under the talismanic Sir Alex Fergusan. Gone are those days of fighting relegation and mediocrity. The fortune has not been quite as ripe for Manchester City. They have been clearly over shadowed by their elite counterparts in the recent past. The Beckhams and Cantonas have not just been poster boys across the world but also backed by tremendous performances and silverware at EPL and Champion’s League, Old Trafford has truly emerged as the theatre of dreams.

This time around though, the scene is a bit different. The rejuvenation of Manchester City over the last couple of seasons has been phenomenal. Recent results have also implied that United has lost their comfort at the top and with just three points ahead of City and an inferior goal difference, have a reason to feel edgy. The world’s focus will be on the game that will decide which extreme of the colour spectrum will paint the EPL trophy, Red or Blue. A win or even a draw might be good enough for the Red Devils but a slip up by them can hand City the golden opportunity of winning the cup of glory and end the age old draught. With two matches to go after Monday, the derby is the pivot which will decide the swing of fortunes.

The English fans, who are very passionate and vociferous about their support, have been unusually quiet. It’s quite like a lull before a big storm. Everyone knows how red faced United was after the humiliation of the last derby. A 6-1 drubbing, that too at home was nothing short of one of their biggest embarrassments of the season. It was all blue in Manchester then. The unfurling of events after that haven’t been quite in favour of City . They have squandered their advantage at the top and some poor performances had handed the lead back to United. United have mostly been solid after the home humiliation but have slipped up in the last couple of games to hand City a lifeline.

Sir Alex Fergusan said ,”Only a masochist would enjoy title-deciding derby… but I can’t wait!”. He thinks this match will decide the championship and the Reds are going to give their best to garner a favourable outcome. City’s Manager Mancini though has taken a passive stand. He says that though his team will throw in the gauge on Monday and challenge till the last, United are favourites to win the race to glory. This is probably good because he does not want his players to feel undue pressure from the big match build up. One of the criticisms of City has been their slip ups in big games, just like they capitulated against Arsenal.

United’s defence is not quite the citadel it used to be. The aging legs of Ferdinand have opened floodgates for opponents. With due respect to him, it will be interesting to see if he starts on Monday. Vidic is also not playing. City will miss their last derby’s hero Mario Balotelli. Even without him City’s attack has the capability to set the cat amongst the pigeons and cause upsets. Plus they have the home advantage.

The fans however know United’s spirit of never giving up. You still feel the goose bumps on recounting the 1999 Champion’s League fight back against Bayern. The United supporters in Manchester are saying “ You cannot buy class with money”. It is going to be class versus talent on Monday. It will be the indomitable spirit of United challenged by the youthful vigour of Mancini’s men. It’s surely baptism by fire for Mancini. Sir Alex though has sailed through more troubled waters. Fans of both the factions have been silenced by a mixed season and failure in Europe. On top of that Chelsea’s recent conquest of the Catalans have grounded them further. The tension and the enigma surrounding this titanic clash is pinching all football fans in Manchester just like the cold. Come Monday a new chapter may be written in Manchester derby’s history, but above all may the beautiful game win.