Manchester expects

18 September 2009 14:12
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} The Manchester derby this Sunday promises to be the most closely contested clash between the two sides for arguably 40 years.[LNB] Not since 27th March 1968 when Manchester City defeated Manchester United 3-1 at Old Trafford has a match between the Blues and the Reds been so keenly anticipated.[LNB]That win for City some 41 years ago was to prove pivotal as they pipped their near neighbours to the old First Division crown by a meagre two points.[LNB]Not to be deterred United went on to become the first English side to win the European Cup just a few weeks later when they defeated Benfica 4-1 after extra-time.[LNB]However that summer night at Wembley was the beginning of the end for that particular United team and their alarming demise, culminating in their relegation to the Second Division in 1974, was in stark contrast to that of City.[LNB]The Blues were enjoying the most glorious period in their history with an FA Cup win in 1969, League Cup success in 1970 and 1976 and a European Cup Winners' Cup win in 1970.[LNB]The tables were turned in the 1990s however when City yo-yoed between the top two divisions as United began to dominate the English domestic game. [LNB]To perhaps best sum up the time; as the Red Devils were capping an unprecedented treble by defeating Bayern Munich 2-1 in the Champions League final in 1999, City were preparing for a League One play-off final clash with Gillingham, albeit one that they won.[LNB]However thanks to the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover at Eastlands the playing field has been well and truly levelled. Superstar signings such as Robinho, Emmanuel Adebayor and not to mention Carlos Tevez are now considered the norm at the City of Manchester Stadium.[LNB]For years City came across as the determined little brother with something to prove as they tried to outdo their more illustrious neighbours. But are the tables about to be turned?[LNB]City's start to the season has been impressive with a league record that reads four wins from four but while successes over the likes of Blackburn, Wolves and Portsmouth were to be expected it was their 4-2 triumph over Arsenal that really sent out the signal that Mark Hughes' men mean business this term.[LNB]Although Blues striker Emmanuel Adebayor stole the headlines for all the wrong reasons for his 'stamp' on former Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie and 'that' celebration, the ease with which the City attack carved open the Gunners' back-line will have made the other members of the 'big four' sit up and take note.[LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson's side seem to have hit top form just at the right time ahead of the match as their comfortable win over Spurs showed on Saturday while if Wayne Rooney can keep up his current goalscoring form United fans will soon be asking the question, who is Cristiano Ronaldo?[LNB]OK maybe not, but the form of the England frontman and his constant work ethic has certainly softened the blow of losing a certain Argentine to the Blues.[LNB]City fans would have you believe that the signing of Tevez, after he had rejected United's advances to extend his two-year stay at the club, signalled a shift in power between the two sides and Ferguson will be determined to highlight that is not the case on Sunday.[LNB]United will insist that City are the side with everything to prove at Old Trafford at the weekend but there will surely be a burning desire within the champions to put their neighbours firmly in their place, while at the same time the Blues will want to truly announce their arrival as title challengers at the home of their fiercest rivals.[LNB]So for the first time since 1968 never has a derby match been so evenly poised and, like the winners back then, the victors on Sunday may look back at the result in May and realise how poignant it really was. [LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports