LONDON: For so long a match simply about local bragging rights, the Manchester derby suddenly has much more riding on it ahead of this season’s first Premier League clash between title contenders United and City at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Bankrolled by Abu Dhabi billionaire Sheikh Mansour since 2008, City is challenging for the English title for the first time in a generation and climbed above United into first place in the league last weekend.
With a star-studded squad and a vast array of attacking talent, Roberto Mancini’s side look to be United’s biggest threat to the defense of its title.
“In the last couple of years, they have become more intense and there’s more importance attached to them,” United manager Alex Ferguson said of the Manchester derbies.
“On Sunday, it’s top of the league and second-top, and it really builds up into a fantastic prospect for everyone. I am looking forward to that.”
By drawing 1-1 at Liverpool on Saturday, United slipped two points behind City. Chelsea, which visits Queens Park Rangers on Sunday in a west London derby, is a point further back in third.
One of the Premier League’s three remaining unbeaten records could go at Old Trafford, where City was beaten 2-1 last season thanks to Wayne Rooney’s sensational overhead kick in the 78th minute.
The team from the blue half of Manchester has improved since then, earning its first taste of Champions League football and looking like a side capable of winning the club’s first English title since 1968. A winner of seven of its eight league games this season, City comes into the match on the back of a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Villarreal in the Champions League, which kept alive its hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage.
“We will go into Sunday’s game, knowing it is a massive one, with a little bit more confidence now,” City midfielder Gareth Barry said. “But it is not a place you can go and relax—we have got to go and play our best game of the season to get something out of it.”
History is against City as it takes the short trip across Manchester.
Ferguson’s men have won their past 19 league matches at home and won five of the past six Premier League meetings with their local rivals, drawing the other one. (Agencies)