EVERYBODY is looking forward to Sunday’s Manchester derby for different reasons. Whatever the reasons they coalesce around the bragging rights of the fans of Manchester’s two famous EPL clubs.
There are more. The EPL is at a vital stage in the title race. Manchester City, contenders to the title, and defending champions have made enemies from winning too often. They make the EPL uncompetitive with the certainty of their victories.
City are a new side to a Manchester that once was about United. They have won more titles, quality, and quantity than any English club. They have an ever-lasting presence in English football.
The ease with which City overtook United in the decade has immensely diminished United which have never recovered from the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Obviously, the consequences of his long stay are still hovering over United. They are mostly deficits for United who have not been able to hold down a coach long enough ever since.
Impatience has grown in United with their last title a decade ago. And they are mere pretenders this season. You have to stretch back to have these records of United – Europa League (2016/17), three Premier League titles (2010/11, 2012/13), one FA Cup (2015/16), and three League Cup (2010, 2017).
City have more illustrious gains since its first title in 2012 and again in 2014, before winning back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019. They are the first Premier League team to reach 100 points in one season.
While at it, City took League Cup (2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019), and the FA Cup (2011 and 2019).
Pep Guardiola, by his standards, is losing grip on the lead he built earlier in the season. The importance of this derby lies in its implications for City who have a consistent Liverpool point away from them.
How the results would affect the table –
If City win they get a breather from Liverpool. If City lose the title race becomes more open. If City draw, they would definitely be shaken in their pace. A United victory could give them a passing feel of the top three, especially if Chelsea stumble badly.
City will play under tremendous pressure. Liverpool against West Ham would have been decided a day earlier. An expected Liverpool win will shrink City’s lead if they do not get the maximum result from United.
Enjoy the games.
Saturday 5 March
Aston Villa v Southampton
Burnley v Chelsea
Leicester v Leeds
Liverpool v West Ham
Newcastle v Brighton
Norwich v Brentford
Wolves v Crystal Palace
Sunday 6 March
Man City v Man Utd
Watford v Arsenal
Monday 7 March
Spurs v Everton
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