City pay hefty price for transfer folly

Manchester City’s much-vaunted new dynasty began with an historic goal when Sergio Aguero scored in the very last minute on the final day of the 2011-12 campaign; but now it is about to end because of a lack of them.

There were so many promises and excitable predictions when City lifted the trophy in the most dramatic of fashions last May as Aguero fired home his side’s 93rd strike of a thrilling campaign; the likes of captain Vincent Kompany insisted this was to be the start of a new era, the end of United’s domination and the day the noisy neighbours took control of the Premier League sound system for the foreseeable future.

But in fact it has taken only 11 months for City to throw away their advantage, for United to return to their traditional spot at the top of table and for the familiar strains of Take Me Home United Road to be rebroadcast across north-west England.