‘Winning this derby means winning title’
Even Alex Ferguson, not a man known for over-blown statements or generous praise, has spent the last few days building a case that the impending match between City and United, which could decide the Premier League title, is the biggest of all time.
The theme has been picked up by national newspapers — and by satellite television channels — to such an extent that some have even suggested this could be the biggest match in English football history.
That’s nonsense, of course.
It will have to go some way to match the ‘it’s up for grabs now’ last-gasp winner that Arsenal scored at Anfield to snatch the title in the very last minute of the 1989 season — not to mention countless passionate and dramatic title races that have littered football history in the modern era.
Think of United v Liverpool matches from the past, big games against Arsenal, think of bitter clashes against Leeds.
But in terms of a City-United derby, Ferguson is right; because only in season 1967-68 have both teams been serious contenders for the title at the same time; and that dramatically changes the importance of a fixture.
That year City won 3-1 at Old Trafford on their way to becoming champions and they will need something similar tonight to stand any chance of overtaking their bitter rivals to end an era that has seen United win the title 12 times since City last lifted it in the 60s. So perhaps the hype is justified on this occasion.
“I have played several derbies since I’ve been at United, but this is the most important because it can decide all the work of a season in one match,” insisted Nani.
“Winning the Manchester derby this time means winning the league title, as simple as that. So for us it’s a final because we want to finish the title as soon as possible. Then of course there is the 6-1 game at Old Trafford in our minds, because that still hurts a lot. So this is a very big game.”
The 6-1 result that Nani refers to was the most astonishing of the season; and one that many critics believed would be a turning point in the history of the Manchester derby, one that signalled a shift from red to blue for the long term.
But, in fact, United have proved more difficult to shift than that.
They go into tonight’s game three points ahead of their rivals with only two matches remaining once the derby dust has settled; and City are happy to admit that Ferguson’s champions are comfortably the favourites.
“All I can say is that we will fight to the end,” said City striker Sergio Aguero. “It’s been a good season whatever happens. I honestly think we have a template already in place to win the Premier League. We just missed some consistency at specific times of the season this year.
“But we will keep on improving and we are very close. Even if we fail this season I think fans have enjoyed the way we played. We slipped up in unexpected games and need to be more consistent but, as I say, it’s not over yet.”
Both teams, it’s fair to say, have had their wobbles during the course of the campaign. City’s came during the absence of Carlos Tevez but United’s have come at more unexpected intervals — not least the recent defeat at Wigan and a wasteful 4-4 draw against Everton at Old Trafford last weekend.
So much will be down to who holds their nerve better on the big occasion and whether the effects of the 6-1 result at Old Trafford are still being felt.
“I guess United will be seeking revenge,” said Aguero. “But maybe they will be more practical because they know a draw will be enough to keep their lead in the table. That could be good for us, I think.”
Nani, of course, disagrees. “That 6-1 score hit Manchester United players very hard,” he said. “Whatever happens this season, even if we win the title, it will be there forever. It was very hard to take and a big shock to us. But we must remember that after that game people said the title was over. In fact we have responded well and now the title is in our hands. That’s what matters.”
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