Martin Samuel: Roberto Mancini needs to learn from the master gambler next door

12 November 2010 01:29
If Manchester City are going to come anywhere near to achieving their ambitions this season, they need to stop mocking their neighbours and start learning from them.[LNB]A catchy slogan is one thing, but it will never make up for the type of bold strategies that put Manchester United on their pedestal. United became a part of Europe's elite because, in Sir Alex Ferguson, they had a manager who knew when to gamble, when to risk and when to all-out go for it. [LNB]The master: Ferguson[LNB]On the way to winning the Champions League in 1999, United faced Inter Milan in the quarter-finals having never secured a knock-out round victory over an Italian team in the competition. [LNB]Ferguson thought his players had the beating of Inter and sent them out to play like it. They risked being the victims of a classic Italian counterattacking sting that night, but wound up as European champions instead, with a midfield comprising Nicky Butt and three wingers. [LNB]All great teams have to gamble at some time even the Inter side of Jose Mourinho, who took the first leg of their Champions League semi-final to Barcelona last year having earlier gone toe-to-toe with Chelsea. [LNB]Did City have the beating of a weakened United last night? Who knows? Roberto Mancini, the manager, allowed too much to be left on that training ground hill. By the time City displayed some real urgency, the game was almost over.[LNB]Edwin van der Sar, the Manchester United goalkeeper, made one outstanding save all evening and it was from a dead ball, a first-half free-kick taken by Carlos Tevez.[LNB]That is nowhere near good enough for the investment in this team. We should have atleast been able to measure City against United but were left with more questions than answers.[LNB] Rio the rock: Ferdinand controls Tevez[LNB]When Mancini attempted to use substitute Emmanuel Adebayor in a time-wastingexercise deep in injury time, the striker's disbelief said it all. Adebayor is not everybody's favourite player but he is worth more than that. [LNB]As for Tevez, he was left to do his usual Duracell bunny act until almost the last kick. The supporters wildly cheer his selfless running, missing the point that the best teams do not have one player holding the show together. Steven Gerrard's talismanic turns for Liverpool are not a sign of strength in depth. [LNB]Manchester United know what they are about and last night they were about getting a result with a team hampered by injury and a debilitating virus. They did so almost withease. [LNB]They were the better team not because they carved out a series of chances, but because they used their possession sensibly and with patience. [LNB]Maybe Ferguson's bullishness before the game was a product of knowing City wouldnot be sent out to take it to their rivals. Under Mancini, they have form in this area. [LNB] No end product: Berbatov blasts over with a scissor kick[LNB]Last season they faced Tottenham Hotspur at home with a Champions League spot at stake and lost 1-0. Harry Redknapp's team played on the front foot, Mancini's as if agoalless draw would suffice.[LNB]Last night was similar, except that for United a goalless draw would suffice; but they will not have expected to achieve it in such a languid fashion. [LNB]At intervals, the menacing visages of David Haye and Audley Harrison flashed up on the pitchside hoardings and stared into the arena ahead of their world title fight at theMEN Arena. [LNB]It was a reminder that, in Manchester, the high profile sporting duels would not be ending with the final whistle at Eastlands. [LNB]Unfortunately, the match mirrored the fears of many for Saturday's fight: both sidestalked a good game going in, but the action itself did not live up to the billing. Perhapsthe only good news is that Haye-Harrison has to be better than this. [LNB]The sense of disappointment at the result shows how far City have come, but the manner in which the game unfolded shows how far they have to go. [LNB] Passion: United fans light up a flare[LNB]This was far from United at their best, but City were too cautious, too watchful. Theybobbed, they moved, they danced around their opponent, but where was the knockout punch, the one that would have rocked United on their heels? It never came, never looked like coming. [LNB]Negative: Mancini[LNB]When United had a corner, City pulled all ten outfield players back into and around their penalty area. People say it is the Italian way, but that does not make it right. [LNB]Not that United offered much, although Dimitar Berbatov showed touches of class without the cutting edge he displayed earlier in the season. Then again, United were not looking to make a statement. City are; until trophies are won.[LNB]If this project is to keep moving forward it must show signs of progress against all the big teams; that is why the defeat against Arsenal here last month was such a blow.[LNB]If anything, this was as big. City fans expected a show at least and instead they got one of those anti-climatic derby games that is crushed beneath the weight of its preamble. [LNB]As Wolverhampton Wanderers came so close to proving at the weekend, United are not at their best right now. [LNB]Every team has a puncher's chance against them; but first that team needs to land a punch. [LNB] You're so boring! Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar slams City after derby stalemateManchester City 0 Manchester United 0: Roberto Mancini's tactics turn fiery derby into bore draw MANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail