Oh, we City men have had some right laughs at our hapless city neighbours in the last lot of years.
It has been great fun to watch the once mighty Red Devils flail around in the mire. I suspect that those days are drawing to a close. With Ineos involved, things are going to change at Man U and, although it may take a few years to turn the supertanker around, I cannot see that, from next season onwards, Man U will be anything like the current iteration. Football is cyclical, and Man U are the 2nd biggest club on the planet. Klopp is leaving Anfield, Pep cannot stay at City forever, and Man U cannot be as shite as they have been this last decade for much longer. I have no doubt that in 5 or 10 years from now Man U will be at the top again and City, who knows where. For many years I was the butt of the jokes.
When I told people I supported City, inevitably they would laugh or ask why. I hope things won't get as bad as they once were. A spell in the 3rd tier, for example, but you just never know. FFP could put us in the 2nd.
So, while the laughing at Man U is coming to a close, it hasn't finished just yet. This week they have had us rolling in the aisles again. After getting spanked at home to Fulham, for their 10th defeat of the season, Fulham released a video mocking Man U captain, Bruno Fernandes. He was tackled and then went down like he'd been shot. The ref gave nothing, so he rolled about a bit more. But his team mates were in a threatening situation, so after seeing that the ref was disinterested, Bruno leapt up imploring his team mates to pass him the ball. At the end of the video Fulham wrote on the screen, "Glad you're okay Bruno", or something similar. At his presser, Man U manager, Erik ten Bob, was livid, calling out Fulham for disrespect. Is he the only person in the country that sees Bruno's behaviour as that which is unbecoming a Man U captain? When you think of the captains that have graced that club, from Bryan Robson and Steve Bruce to Roy Keane and Nemanya Vidic, Wayne Rooney et al, then you must realise that Bruno a disgrace. And the manager backs him! I doubt ten Bob will be there much longer.
Then we had another pronouncement from Marcus Rashford, mucho pissed aff that he was taking flak for his shite performances. Man U are in his veins don't you know! But every pundit in UK TV has shown multiple occasions when St Marcus has failed to run back and help his team in defence. That is just not acceptable anymore in modern footy. If you walk or jog back after losing the ball, you do not deserve a place on the team. Fortunately for Rashford, Man U need him, and despite being dropped on occasion, he keeps getting more chances to redeem himself.
Chances that he wouldn't get at any other top half team. You can blame your loss of form on your personal life, mental health or any other excuse but you cannot excuse a dessertion of duty on the same grounds.
If Salah and KdB can sprint back to help so can St Marcus.
And to top off an awful week, they got well and truly spanked by the noisy neighbours, putting Champions league qualification in serious doubt. It will be interesting to see how the team from Ineos go about rectifying things. I expect a big clearout, staring with the manager and including a load of players with a patient rebuild. They have to get this right which won't be easy if they can't offer UCL football.
Next up will have to be a stadium rebuild and new training facilities.
This is a massive undertaking given the low point at which they start.
When the Glazers bought Man U I don't think any fan would have guessed the mess they would create. They haven't won the Prem since 2013. How many years until the next one?
When I told people I supported City, inevitably they would laugh or ask why. I hope things won't get as bad as they once were. A spell in the 3rd tier, for example, but you just never know. FFP could put us in the 2nd.
So, while the laughing at Man U is coming to a close, it hasn't finished just yet. This week they have had us rolling in the aisles again. After getting spanked at home to Fulham, for their 10th defeat of the season, Fulham released a video mocking Man U captain, Bruno Fernandes. He was tackled and then went down like he'd been shot. The ref gave nothing, so he rolled about a bit more. But his team mates were in a threatening situation, so after seeing that the ref was disinterested, Bruno leapt up imploring his team mates to pass him the ball. At the end of the video Fulham wrote on the screen, "Glad you're okay Bruno", or something similar. At his presser, Man U manager, Erik ten Bob, was livid, calling out Fulham for disrespect. Is he the only person in the country that sees Bruno's behaviour as that which is unbecoming a Man U captain? When you think of the captains that have graced that club, from Bryan Robson and Steve Bruce to Roy Keane and Nemanya Vidic, Wayne Rooney et al, then you must realise that Bruno a disgrace. And the manager backs him! I doubt ten Bob will be there much longer.
Then we had another pronouncement from Marcus Rashford, mucho pissed aff that he was taking flak for his shite performances. Man U are in his veins don't you know! But every pundit in UK TV has shown multiple occasions when St Marcus has failed to run back and help his team in defence. That is just not acceptable anymore in modern footy. If you walk or jog back after losing the ball, you do not deserve a place on the team. Fortunately for Rashford, Man U need him, and despite being dropped on occasion, he keeps getting more chances to redeem himself.
Chances that he wouldn't get at any other top half team. You can blame your loss of form on your personal life, mental health or any other excuse but you cannot excuse a dessertion of duty on the same grounds.
If Salah and KdB can sprint back to help so can St Marcus.
And to top off an awful week, they got well and truly spanked by the noisy neighbours, putting Champions league qualification in serious doubt. It will be interesting to see how the team from Ineos go about rectifying things. I expect a big clearout, staring with the manager and including a load of players with a patient rebuild. They have to get this right which won't be easy if they can't offer UCL football.
Next up will have to be a stadium rebuild and new training facilities.
This is a massive undertaking given the low point at which they start.
When the Glazers bought Man U I don't think any fan would have guessed the mess they would create. They haven't won the Prem since 2013. How many years until the next one?
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| Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports |
Watched Forest V Reds for 85 mins on Saturday , decided to head home . Got on the Dart & 2 City fans inside the door were crying into their tablet . The Reds got very lucky , latest Lfc goal ever in the Prem .
ReplyDeleteArsenal hammered the Blades , they have as good a chance as anyone of winning the title . Have a feeling that City's next games V the Reds & Gooners will both be draws . Man U are playing for # Sixth ( @ best ) . LOL .