Source: Man_City
Comment: Derby the most crucial in history
It all kicked off at the Hyde Road Stadium in Ardwick in November 1894 when Newton Heath beat Manchester City 5-2 in the first Football League meeting between the Blues and the Reds. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge in the 116 since that first historic Manchester derby. In 1902, Newton Heath rebranded itself as Manchester United. In August 1923, City abandoned their ramshackle arena in Ardwick and moved into the sparkling Maine Road stadium in Moss Side. Down the years Manchester's football fans have witnessed every sort of derby imaginable. From wonderful to woeful. Heart-stopping to sleep-inducing. But I would venture to suggest that this weekend's local skirmish between the two old enemies at Eastlands will be THE most important derby fixture of all-time. The coming derby isn't just about bragging rights. It's bigger - much bigger - than that. Potentially it's a match which could have colossal consequences for both the Blues and the Reds. City's players and their fans will still vividly remember the sickening defeat in this season's Old Trafford derby which I still believe to be the finest match played in the current season. Fair-minded supporters will accept that the Blues fully deserved at least a point, only to be denied by Michael Owen's winning goal in "Fergie time." But there is more at stake than mere revenge for City at Eastlands on Saturday. A victory for Roberto Mancini's men could be the three points which brings Champions League football next season. Champions League The millions of pounds which comes with a Champions League place means nothing to City's billionaire Arab owners. To them it's little more than pocket money. But what the Champions League brings is credibility. A statement that the Blues have finally acquired a seat at the top table with enough magnetism to attract Europe's major stars to Eastlands. Conversely a defeat for City on Saturday could once again raise questions about the managerial qualities of their likeable Italian boss Mancini. The ruthless manner in which the City hierarchy dispensed with the services of Mark Hughes this season suggests that if City's hopes of a Champions League place go out of the window on Saturday, Mancini may go with them. The Champions League won't be on Sir Alex Ferguson's mind this weekend. Win, lose or draw his team will be in the major European tournament next season. What Fergie will recognise, however, is that a derby defeat for the Reds will be tantamount to handing the Premier League title to Chelsea on a plate. Ferguson took a calculated gamble in fielding Wayne Rooney in the Champions League tie against Bayern Munich last week and the gamble backfired. Will he take the same gamble with Rooney at Eastlands this Saturday? Dare he take the same gamble with the World Cup finals looming ever larger? Can you imagine the fury of the nation if England's best player picks up another injury? Ferguson, I'll guarantee, won't be swayed by the wishes of England manager Fabio Capello or the supporters. He's shown already that he prefers a half-fit Rooney to a fully-fit Dimitar Berbatov and my guess is that the Scouser will be leading United on Saturday. Facing Rooney as the teams line up at Eastlands will be Carlos Tevez, the player Ferguson wouldn't - or couldn't - sign when his loan spell at Old Trafford expired. Fergie will never admit it publicly but United's loss was quite clearly City's gain. Tevez will be out to prove that point on Saturday. And in a match of massive significance he could well be the difference between the two teams. My forecast? A winning goal from Tevez, a Champions League place for the Blues and a long-term contract for Mancini. Well you know what they say. Once a Blue, always... What do you think? Have your say. This article is on both the United and City pages of our website.| Submit Comments| Comments (47)| Print« Previous Story | Next Story »What's this? Emaildel.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponNewsvineGoogle BookmarksNetscapeTechnoratiWindows LiveYahoo! MyWebMa.gnolia
