BRAGGING rights are up for grabs this Sunday as City and United clash for the 135th time in the league - with the Blues hoping to keep their recent impressive home record against United on track.
But the Reds are enjoying a good run of form and championship-chasing momentum going into the match and, with Chelsea's stumble last weekend, will be looking to further close the gap on the league leaders.
Here ManchesterOnline talks to Ben Collins, of the Manchester City Mad fanzine, to get the view from the other side.
Both sides are on a run of form recently - FA Cup aside, that is. How much of a difference will that make?
It will be a bit of novelty with both teams at the top of their game. We've won the last two home derbies but United weren't at their best, but now, they've still a slim chance of catching Chelsea so I'm sure they'll be all out to keep their hopes alive - as well as avoid another embarrassment.
It didn't look promising with a trip to Chelsea leading into it, but having got a good result, City will be confident, which is vital since a lot of the team seem to be 'confidence' players.
Will the Glazer takeover talk have an effect on the Reds going into the game?
I don't think the Glazer talk will bother United. He's been blocked before and a great deal more needs to happen before it starts to get serious. And besides they're all professionals and, being United players, they're used to being put under the spotlight.
Having said that, I think they're biggest weakness is that too many of the players haven't quite got used to the demands of being United players - the winning mentality. Certainly in the last two derbies at City, United seemed to fold too easily once they were under a bit of pressure - I never remember a United team of the mid-90s doing that.
What's United's biggest strength been this season?
Rooney and Ronaldo - they are capable of creating a goal out of nothing, even if they're are under pressure and the rest of the team aren't quite performing.
What do you think of Ben's comments? Have your say.
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Lets hope City are on a role -doing us a favour two weekends running.
City are a middle of the table team right now mainly due to inconsistency. From what I have read many of their supporters do not really know what to expect from their team from week to week. Considering their league position and the fact that they have taken 4 points off Chelsea this season just reinforces that view. The outcome of the derby will largely depend on which City team turn up on Sunday.
Ed, hate to disagree with you but if United pay their best it matters not a jot what City do, we will beat them easily. So, it really depends on what UNITED team turns up.
You see Alias Smith, your little posting sums up everything that is hated about utd and their fans. Ed the red has given a fair, considered opinion and you basically call him an idiot. Do you not understand that each game of football consists of two teams, and in any one game anything can happen? Your arrogance is beyond belief. Based on your theory, I suppose utd haven't played well against City for a little while have they. City were just extremely fortunate that utd have had a few off days against us recently. Four lucky goals, three lucky goals, I wonder where will our luck end?? It is a wonder you didn't give us a good hiding at OT this season we defended so terribly and you were so magnificent. At some point you just have to give credit to the opposition, but you lot never do, do you? Most of you anyway. Once again on the eve of the Manchester derby, I like all my fellow Blues am soiling my pants at the thought of playing the mighty reds of trafford, I can only hope and pray that your boys play as bad as they did the last time they visited our little council house. Incidentally is it any wonder why a geeky yank wants to buy your club when you have so much in common with him and his countrymen. Big mouths, arrogant, ignorant toward football, insular, no class, profiteers - I could go on all day with this! Have a nice day.
Blue Blood, I'm sure you could go on and on and on and on. I have not called anyone on this site an idiot, please don't try to put words in my mouth. This is a United fan forum, so what you are doing on here I have no idea but you have presumably read the comments of some of your fellow City supporters? Now THOSE are comments that put a group of supporters in a bad light, particularly when they seem more interested in Chelsea winning than they do in City's results. You see, my logic is simple, United have a better player than City do in arguably every position on the field. Therefore, if United play at their best, it doesn't matter if City also do, United should win.