Reality check. That is what is required of Manchester United fans right this minute after what was perhaps one of the most embarrassing moments in the clubs history. After going for so long in not only just the Premier League, but in all the competitions that United were participating in they had managed to remain unbeaten within the walls of their “Theatre of Dreams”. This was all but shattered and destroyed in what most people could call “the turning point” or “shift in power” in the great city of Manchester this Sunday.
For a long period of time, the noisy neighbours City have been kept quiet by the gleaming trophy cabinet of Old Trafford built up over the many successful years under the wings of Sir Alex Ferguson. They have been pushed aside and almost considered non existent both financially and the build up of dust that built up over the years. Many United fans or should I say nearly all of them did not expect them to come back with the financial backing from one of the richest families in the middle east. As soon as it was confirmed Manchester City were the richest club in the world, up there with your Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and of course Manchester United.
Manchester United was not just a football club, it was a brand. Two thirds of United supporters live outside of the United Kingdom. That fact alone speaks for itself and needs no further comment. The clubs representation of its iconic superstars which once boasted David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ruud Van Nistlerooy made revenue go through the roof just from football shirts alone. And still to this day with the likes of the never say never die veteran Ryan Giggs at the age of 37 years old. Wayne Rooney looking back to his youthful self again (not just his new hair).
From the beginning of the season many punters after last seasons Premier League had tipped Manchester City the team to watch out for, Mancini was accused of being way to careful last season. He was considered to be too happy just to settle for a point, even though he had one of the most wanted array of talents in his attacking department at his disposal. But never used this to its full potential. They struggled to maintain leads in matches and showed signs of not being consistent enough and communication and leadership breakdowns. But oh how quickly in the blink of an eye has this changed. Going reasonably well in their first ever champions league run, at the top of the premiership by five points over Manchester United and all by defeating them in what was United’s worst home defeat since February 1955. It was also the first time United had conceded six goals at Old Trafford since 1930, when Huddersfield won 6-0 and Newcastle 7-4 within four days of each other.
At the final whistle As Ferguson strode briskly towards the Stretford End at the final whistle, he will have been reflecting on the extent of the challenge now facing him from the club he once branded "noisy neighbours". United’s stature is such that one result must not bring the immediate announcement of a shift in the balance of power in Manchester – but the swathes of empty seats around Old Trafford and the wave of attacks pouring towards David de Gea’s goal in the second half emphasised that City quite simply have greater firepower and talent in their squad at present.
After all of this there are three points that have been made clear from perhaps one of the most shocking and horrific moments in the current Premier league champions history.
- City are now title favourites; This was a team that had a excellent structure and confidence finally, once they had taken the lead, the truth is they handed out a thrashing. too many times have City been what is believed to have been psychologically beaten by the club’s long history of being United’s shadow. City have now scored three times or more in seven of their first nine games. They are five points clear, playing like champions in the making and demonstrating a togetherness that informs us they will not give up what so ever without one hell of a fight. Perhaps Manchester should be painted blue?
- Should have got Sneijder?; Concerns linger about whether the centre of their midfield is good enough. Don’t get me wrong, Fletcher’s goal was wonderfully taken and, in terms of general play, the truth is there were times when they were simply outnumbered – but a club of this ambition really ought to have at least one stand out/world class player in this particular area. Ferguson has insisted ever since the end of the transfer window that it did not matter that the club had failed to bring in Wesley Sneijder. Maybe he should have touched wood when he was quoted on this….
- The exit door is opening wider for Evans;This is the thing about Jonny Evans: he always has a mistake in him. The truth is Evans, apart from when he first came through, has always looked at least one level below the required grade for a club of United’s ambitions. He has improved this season but largely because he was terrible last season, I don’t mean to put a downer on him by the way. When Rio Ferdinand needs replacing, Evans does not have the credentials to be that man. He is 23, which is still young enough to improve, but his next birthday is in January and time is running out, very quickly.
