The Red Bastion Of Manchester Might Be Replaced By Its Blue Neighbour Unless…

When you’ve been in the shadow of your elder brother, the first chance you’ll get to bring him down will be executed in such method that he never gets to be ahead of you again. Such a situation is taking place in Manchester, with City armed with the talent acquired by their multi-billionaire owners are just crossing one obstacle after the other to reach the summit of English football.

Just that the toughest opponent to cross lies next door. Even though they shot a warning gun across Europe with their biggest win in 6-1 at Old Trafford last year, it has given them just three points as United are right on their heels. And the ultimate late latifs have a chance to land a counter punch this Sunday.

 Unless the final whistle is blown, it’s never over when you’re up against Manchester United. They throw the kitchen sink at you like no other because they have a mentality to win embedded in their bones like no other. The 6-1 win was one of those once in a blue moon occasions they tend to have once in a while (4-1 Liverpool 2008/2009, 5-0 Newcastle 1996).

But while other teams tend to fall, Fergie’s hairdryer makes this team rise again to conquer the ultimate battle. This season there has been a remarkable difference. Despite whatever Sir Alex says and the fact that we have the knowledge of how Manchester united “start playing only in the second half of the season” a defeat at the Etihad stadium in Sunday’s FA Cup clash can prove to be a psychological blow in the battle for English domination.

The Onus Is On Rooney

No, they haven’t lost 5 games before Christmas (no team has ever won the Premier League doing so), and are a mere 3 points behind City having lost just one more game than them. But it is the manner of the defeats which are the cause for concern.

Blackburn Rovers can have all the potential to prove they are a decent team in a bad position, Newcastle United might be in the form of their lives but Manchester United is expected to defeat them.  And the manner in which Xherdan Shaqiri strode past the team to ensure Basel’s entry into the Champion’s League round of 16 at their expense was a horror story for fans.

The word “collapse” has to be used when you think that last season a stronger Blackburn Rovers squad was drilled 7-1, and Manchester United used to pick points from the Sports Direct Arena at ease.  This season is one of stagnation.

No new talents are about to emerge immediately as Will Keane, Paul Pogba and co. are far from the level demanded from this league. The midfield, which sparkled with a buzz as Arsenal were drowned 8-2 has looked like a robotic procedure following unit.

But United’s biggest concern is that of Wayne Rooney. Upset with the lack of activity around him the big striker has gone off on one of his alleged discontent spells.  It’s probably asking too much from Dimitar Berbatov to be consistent, Ji-Sung Park seems ill deployed, Antonio Valencia as to fill at right back due to injuries, plus Ryan Giggs finally looks his age and despite his valiant efforts alongside wonderful skill, Nani cannot be effective unless the team accepts his service.

Not that a new midfielder is essential, this same unit had done the trick last season. At the turn of the year when they team usually hits the peak ,this unit seems to be in free fall. And a loss on Sunday could dump them out of another competition.

Why United Need To Topple City Today

Another exit could be a big morale damper. And we have seen that City feed off success, the more they get the stronger they feel the more destructive they become. A victory for the Citizens in the FA Cup will surely resonate in the League.

So, Manchester United have another task.  They face the wall yet again, quite close to be blown against it. It remains to be seen if they can topple yet this obstacle. But if they don’t and are knocked out of another competition, the Premier League flag might be hoisted from a different side of Manchester.