Sorry, but as a neutral fan I've got to take issue with this piece. If City win the league, they will be perceived around the country to have "bought" it, in much the same way Blackburn did many years ago.

The reason United have never suffered from that perception is that their success came about organically, with astute signings and, most importantly, a brilliant crop of youngsters from the academy.

A "bought" title can never be as sweet as one that comes about through time, skill and patience, and for that reason, when City's title does inevitably arrive, it won't be regarded in the same way, with the same respect.