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Certain members of my inner circle have an irrational fear of City winning the title. The planet has witnessed tough times of late, there has been a global recession, adverse weather conditions and the continued success of Simon Cowell to endure. Truly these are troubling times. Yet despite this, some of my pals think the rise of a blue moon is beyond the pale. It is simply not the case.
A real reason to be upset (c) Satan
Swanselona were pretty obliging opponents at Old Trafford but it was far from a joyous afternoon. Scholes looked like he was playing a high stakes game of poker after his opening goal rather scoring for his boyhood team. That just about summed up the mood in the wake of City’s late win. Ashley Young’s second goal was another pointy, curly shot from outside of the box that showed what a terrific finisher he is. Personally, I think he has improved over the course of this season and could do so again next year.
Not to make excuses, but, I recently read a blogger who suggested that things might be different had Kompany been injured for the enitre season rather than Vidic. It is certainly food for thought and highlights once again how tight these margins are. Many of us wrote this season off after the Serb’s injury, yet still we hang on until the final day.
One man who needs some time off is Javier Hernandez. It is troubling to report that he had another off day on Sunday and it is all rather disappointing aftre his blistering first season. Fergie made the excellent point before the game that he hasn’t had a proper break for three years because of his commitments with the Mexican national team. He is unplayable when on form so some rest for him will be welcome after the season is over.
Whilst the thought of ‘them from across town’ lifting the trophy next week is pretty unsavoury, let’s all thank the lord that City are not Liverpool, or Chelsea, or even Leeds – all more unpleasant mobs who remain far from champion material.
Manchester City are not over the line yet and it is up to us too make them earn the right to be called champions. If they do then they deserve it, as simple as that. However, we should fight to the bitter end. If the title is not decided until the final moment of the season then all the better. I recall a final day in Scotland a few years back when goal difference was to decide the destination of the championship, both Rangers and Celtic won by enormous margins. A meek surrender of our title would not be the Manchester United way.
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Posted by Aaron Mark Hendrix on 05/07/2012
The performance against Swansea was BAU if u may.Job done and 3 points.A lil too late maybe,but u never know.Woulda loved to see us put 7-8 past the swans,just to make City turn and look,but now it's really all in their hands.Assuming they put 3 past QPR,we'll need a 13-14 nil win over Sunderland,which wont happen.So now we're relying on Sparky's bunch to help us out.I wonder if Sparky feels up for wrecking City's season,they did unceremoniously dump him sometime back didnt they?Time to get one back then Sparky?!Man,desperate times indeed,but it's worth noting that if QPR lose,they could yet get relegated.All the more reason for them to try and get something.Some might laugh at my optimistic assumptions,but hey,I support my club till the end.If in the end we lose out on GD alone,well,I guess that's just too bad.I dont think City are heads& shoulders above us,and the table doesnt suggest that either.End of season review will follow,but first,one last dance with the Devils..GGMU
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Posted by Oz on 05/07/2012
agree with Mark- Liverpool, Leeds and Chelsea are would be a more bitter pill to swallow than City
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Posted by FORCA BLUES!! on 05/07/2012
We have won the FA cup and have a good chance of beating Bayern.In yer face,non champion material.
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Posted by Maxitaxi on 05/07/2012
I think all the moaners and critics of our team this season should look at the table with one game to go.
We have kept up with City, toe to toe, blow for blow and considering we were robbed of key players and new youth signings bedding in, I think we should all be very proud.
Third place Arsenal are nineteen points behind us, so how much better is City than us with their half a billion in investment and skyscraper salaries.
One result may have cost us the title, perhaps a result that wouldn't have happened if Vidic was fit, so well done City, you're almost there but keep looking behind you, the Red Devils will always be right up your arse when you slip.
The irony is if it does go to goal difference, we gave them seven goals and Tevez scored four, that’s eleven in total.
How improper for Tevez to collect a medal after his behavior and how proud is Mancini really when he knows he won by whisker and not the nine or twelve points that we used to win titles by.
Go Sparky!
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Posted by aussiered on 05/07/2012
Coulda Shoulda Woulda.
Just about sums it all up really.
Lets hope the boys are all sharing our pain and come back next season stronger for the experience.
Believe in United
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Posted by Pat on 05/07/2012
Man utd can still do it i beleive on manutd
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Posted by ROYAL on 05/07/2012
till finals we wouldn't lose hope.
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Posted by Damian Garside on 05/07/2012
The most terrible thing about City winning is that their joy will be that much the greater in that it was us they beat into 2nd place (rather than Liverpool and us say getting relegated) and that they did it by the narrowest of margins. It's like that for them because it's us and because it will be the narrowest of margins, it will be proof and vindication that they can go toe to toe with us and pip us (presuming we will beat Sunderland -- of course they will destroy QPR -- they will be like a force of Nature sweeping them out of the wa.
But then: the terrible thing about City's victory is that it will be so sweet for them because we are the standard -- we set the bar -- for us they have mountains of grudging respect.
If we had beaten them, then we would have taken it as the sign that we have a divine right to win, that they will always be litle Ciddy, never to rise above their station as relegtaion-zone also rans.
And this, gentlemen -- is what they won and we didn't
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Posted by Andrew Hoyle on 05/07/2012
Your pragmatism is commendable Mark but I fear for this United side in seasons to come if it isn't renewed soon. We can't rely on the same old legs for much longer or expect youngsters to carry the responsibility. Yet we are letting a proven world class goal scorer in Berba walk away.....how can this be sensible when neither Wellbeck nor Hernandez are the finished product yet? How many times do you think a golden boot winner is treated this way in his follow up season? Beggars belief.
Considering the unblanced nature of the current squad, the poor selection/tactics in big games (last week and the last two CL finals), the tendency to marginalise star players (has Berba actually done anything wrong?) and I am left asking if it's time to bring in Mourinho. Sir Alex has given me the best years of my football watching life with this great dynasty and I humbly thank him for that but I think this team is now in decline and it is time for renewal from the manager down. Sad to say it...
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Posted by kardajo on 05/07/2012
two things looking rather decisive now:
1. The Newcastle Penalty decision.
2. The 6-1 win
if not for 1. we'd be 2pts clear at the moment (you can say other sides deserved penalties against us, and that's true, but we deserved penalties against other sides and when a penalty is wrongly given that late in the game it pretty much decides the result)
if not for 2. the goal difference would be like 1 or 2 right now instead of 8 (in fact mathematically we'd be tied if City had kept their 1-0 in the first half)
Another point is consistantly through this season we've been missing 9-11 players every week to injury. City have had 2-3 injuries all season. While everyone wants to sing Citys praises the fact is we're neck and neck with them and have done so with our a good portion of our B team. Obviously our season could have been better, but considering the most expensive team ever assembled is only better than utd by goal difference, it's a result that's liveable.
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Posted by hafnia on 05/07/2012
I like the article, one thing that I can't agree with you on....City do not deserve to be champions....for the same reason Chelsea never deserved theirs. Any team built off of money grubbing oil billionaires doesnt deserve to win.
The owners of both City and Chelsea probably spend more on toilet paper a year than what they bought their respective clubs for. In others words, to their owners they are worth less than shit.
The only teams deserving a championship are those built off of history, success, and talent. Liverpool would be hard to swallow, but as a club, they are much more respectable than either city or chelsea.
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Posted by Patrick on 05/07/2012
@MaxiTaxi
I wholeheartedly agree. We have been in a transitional phase for years now; yet we have always picked up silverware. Losing our title to the Citizens wont be fun but should they claim it, definately well-deserved.
There is plenty to be happy about; Jones should be more consistent next season and de Gea has been stellar since the turn of the year. I do not know what the rest of you think, but I believe Carrick has been stellar this year. He has been the one rock in the center all season; long may it continue.
Let's drag this our until the 90+ and fate may smile on us yet. All the best lads, Glory Glory, Manchester United
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Posted by jg on 05/07/2012
A good season, remarkable perhaps given the injuries and the where-with-all to keep up with City, yet undone by ourselves: eight points dropped in six games at the business end of the season doesn't deserve the title. Further, I don't understand the apparent lack of desire against Swansea. Six or seven was not out of reach, and that would have made it all the more interesting; futile in the end, perhaps, but more interesting nonetheless. In the end, kudos to Man City.
Also, does Tevez qualify for a medal? Did he play in ten games? Isn't that the minimum to qualify for a medal. He doesn't deserve it, regardless...
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Posted by Chelsea FC on 05/07/2012
Liverpool, Leeds and Chelsea are would be a more bitter pill to swallow than City, really? your noisy neighbours? At-least Liverpool and Chelsea won a cup this season with the latter having a chance to add another and not just any 'other' the Champions League that will not make us Champions of England but of Europe, so please to revised your not Champions material. Never read a more bias article better yet garbage. Just a another sore loser I guess but none the less City is really the only team from Manchester!!!
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Posted by Fasuyi Gabriel on 05/07/2012
If God says man u will still wine title, city will either lose or draw will man you will either draw or win. THINK ABOUT THAT!
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Posted by Rollo on 05/07/2012
Patrick mentions that "Any team built off of money grubbing oil billionaires doesnt deserve to win", yet seemingly is blind to the fact that Manchester Utd, is backed by a grubbing food billionaire.
Also, Man United only really came to success following the ban by English clubs in Europe (which probably historically ruined only Liverpool but Everton and Forest) and a reduction in size of the Top Flight.
Every team still has to play through the 38 games in the season, and to be fair, the right to complain about money entering the game ended in the 1960s.
To complain that City doesn't deserve the title, is somewhat churlish and denies history and context; it's especially strange coming from Man United fans.
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Posted by Joey on 05/07/2012
@Chelsea FC. This is a Utd. blog, of course it's going to be biased you moron. Don't read it cunt if you don't like
@Rollo. City has Pretty much Zero history, Copious amounts of Money comes through, now they have silverware. Sorry man That ain't right. And if you want to point the finger at us, then you have a lot to learn. We don't spend our money on marquee names very often. We buy young talent for cheap and DEVELOP players. Our youth system and Club mentality is what makes us the best, not splashing half a billion dollars to get trophies
I think the two times this season that we could have EASILY have changed that would make us champions were...
1. Blackburn at home- That was our game and we Fucked it up horribly. Yak should never have gotten through like he did.
2. Everton at home- You just don't blow a 2 goal lead at home when it MATTERS MOST.
I think the other losses and ties were fairly well deserved, in terms of PK's.... They level out. We get some calls We lose some calls
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Posted by JMan on 05/07/2012
What's more is that City don't "deserve" the title in the sense that they Spent a shitload of money and are seeing the results. I can't stand that. HOWEVER, they have clearly played the better football and fought really hard and won when it mattered the most. We just have not unfortunately. On another note, If anyone is a true United Fan you will know that the last great United team we had was 2008-2009. Since then we have not been the True United that we all know and love and has the never ending fighting spirit and pure brilliance. It's been 3 seasons of grinding results out with only glimpses of how amazing we really are. The plus side to that though is that Wayne Rooney has finally shown how amazing he is. He needs help.
I gotta disagree with you a bit Mark. Seeing Chelsea win is tough and Liverpool (If they could ever) would be agony, but to see a NOBODY team like City with no tradition splash a few bucks and win the PL, is sickening. At least Liverpool have a respectable History
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Posted by sh on 05/07/2012
Bias is one thing but to insult others is another!
Some of the posts here are outrageous!
Man U was lucky to win against Fulham and QPR and the whining about Everton goes on. The fact is Man U is lucky to be on equal pts with City! the nosiy neighbours are here to stay..get used to it!
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Posted by Rudolph on 05/08/2012
@Joey 'We buy young talent for cheap and DEVELOP players. Our youth system and Club mentality is what makes us the best, not splashing half a billion dollars to get trophies'......oh yes smart arse!...how much did Ferdinand, Rooney, Veron, Van Horseface, Young, Ronaldo' De Gea, Berbatov ect cost then? oh yeah 'peanuts' because they all came through your 'developement system'....bellend
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Posted by Aegean1985 on 05/08/2012
I want to believe that Sparky can pull off a draw at the Etihad. But I just don't see how...
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Posted by Moorside Red on 05/08/2012
Sadly, there is no way around the knowledge that City have played better and deserve the title more than United this season. And if ever there was a wake up call that surely is it. If United are to remain successful there is a need for investment. The question is will the Glaziers be willing to put the money in. I'm not holding my breath to be honest. And as for Joey and Rudolph, United have both brought along young players as well as buying, sometimes big, when necessary. There have always been the Welbecks and Cleverleys alonglside the Rooneys and Ferdinands. Which promising young player has come out of the City academy lately? Can Chelsea point to somebody other than Sturridge? The mix of youth and imported experience has always been the formula that has served Ferguson's United and it is the formula that is needed now.
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Posted by Atalks on 05/08/2012
Stop crying. Vidic is 34 and Kompany is 25. If you are pinning your hopes on a 34 year old staying fit through the season, then I think you have your planning wrong.
The other part is, consider the many points won through Ashley Young's dives and official assistance against Fulham to mention just one, and then see what the point gap with City is. Lastly, some of your fans should remember that you have been the City/Chelsea for decades in the league, highest or second highest spenders through the years, and you said ultimately trophies are wwhat matter. It is hypocritical to now complain of City's spending power.
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Posted by D on 05/08/2012
Man Utd just need to focus on beating Sunderland and let luck do the rest. United did a good job recovering from the 1-6 loss, overtook City but just lost it towards the end.
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Posted by kenyap2 on 05/08/2012
Atalks you're pathetic. Vidic is not so old. FOOL.
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Posted by David Smith on 05/08/2012
Get a point on Sunday, Sparky and you can manage the Champions next season after Fergie retires!!!
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Posted by jiggaman on 05/08/2012
Its been a tough season for United especially with Nemanja out for a long time. I honestly don't believe we would have slipped against Everton had Vidic been present. Well all things work together for good because I don't see QPR relegating. It may look easy to the world how City can drive past them but there is more to be considered. Even though, beating Sunderland will not be easy for us but we will fight to the end. We are spirited fighters and I see the trophy coming our way. It is United for life!
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Posted by Lucky on 05/08/2012
While this is a man utd blog, and I am not supposed to comment here cos I'm a chelsea fan, I have to admit that some of the comments here are downright stupid. Only retards would have made them. Stop whining about City's money. There is no way anyone will come on here and tell us yoonited didn't spend any money. There's absolutely no top team in the world today who didn't spend money on the way up. City fully deserve the title. Any deluded yoonited fan who thinks Sparky will do them a favor should just bottle it. QPR will not get a result at the Etihad. And I fail to see how Chelsea winning the title is worse than City's. You people are only just looking for ways to console yourselves, which isn't working. Get a grip losers, the Blue Moon is really rising, and I fear for the red half of Manchester, at the rate the Glazers are going!
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Posted by Maxitaxi on 05/08/2012
Wow, there seems to be many guilt ridden City fans on our blog!
United have always invested money in good players but have mixed with youth coming through the academy and reserves.
It would be facile to think that any team could stay in the top seven at least without investment or any business for that matter, because whether we like it or not, football is now big business.
I think the main reason we as United fans feel somewhat peeved at City is that as with Chelsea during Murinho times, who were a purchased team of superstars in the main, it felt like that we were competing on unequal terms.
Example, it is known that United want Hazard from Lilles, a great player but what do we read next, Mancini feels he would be good for City. Last year we wanted Nasri, again City outbid us. Is that the way it is going to be!
I think you City fans should understand that our chagrin is not that you were so much better than us, you were not, but that the playing field is uneven.
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Posted by Dondee on 05/08/2012
selfish and proud united fans, i hope city rubs your noses in the dirt, you are lucky to be even level on points with city with the dross you turned out all season. little wonder you were turned inside out in both European competitions. Yet u have the audacity to say city were lucky. get used to it, it's one year trophyless and counting for you...and yes i'm an arsenal fan.
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Posted by Carvinch on 05/08/2012
Exactly. It was quite obvious that City had a great advantage because of Vidic's injury.... yet United still follow through till the last day of the season! That's pretty amazing on a macro scale.
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Posted by smoky on 05/08/2012
Guess who will be crowned the new mayor of sqeaky bum town?
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Posted by Dumbdee Dondee on 05/08/2012
@Dondee > Well.....Man U have been dishing out dross throughout the season? Well maybe, that's why we are behind City.
But wait! Arsenal are 19 POINTS behind!!!! Wow...what have they been dishing out?!?!
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Posted by Maxitaxi on 05/08/2012
What a nasty bunch of fans City, Chelsea and Arsenal seem to have.
Go back to your own blogs you Neanderthals, if you don't like what we have to say about you, LOG OFF!!
This is our blog, for our team and for most of us it's a Catharsis to vent our spleen. To discuss with like minded people who maybe understand our frustrations and anger and to also share in the highs of being a ManU fan, of which there are many, more than you so called fans will ever know.
Funny, one good season (perhaps) and already City are the best team in the world, where were you when you were shit. Arsenal, well what is it, seven years with no trophy, no wonder you guys are bitter and Chelsea, well I actually enjoyed the latter part of your season and hope you win the ECL, you deserve it after the Barcelona epic but remember, it was one very dodgy off-side in 2010 that won you the league that year!
United we stand, we'll always be champions because it's more than just about winning.
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Posted by ManUtd20andmore on 05/08/2012
The way I see it, City deserves the title. They are no better than us, but we let it slip away with Everton. Utd. can do better than that. We should congratulate City and give them a hand after they win on Sunday. We need to show class, and accept we failed to capitalize when we had the best opportunities. Go United, I love you.
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Posted by Don C on 05/08/2012
When you look at us being down to just goal difference and without the "Rock" in the center of defense I think United are in a great spot in case Sparky can slip City the draw mickey. Look forward to a rested Chicharito and a healthy Vidic and Cleverly. We have the horses.
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Posted by aussiered on 05/09/2012
The biggest piss about the last month and thus the season,Is quite simply we had the league in the bag and we have let it slip to a team of players some of whom at some stage we have courted.
I dont agree that the blue noses are that good, anyone of our previous championship teams 93- CR departure would have mullered them.
When Fergie finally replaces Keano we will start to impose ourselves again on teams. Until then folks its gonna be a long hard road.
Believe in United
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Posted by Aaron Mark Hendrix on 05/09/2012
We have clearly not been the best team throughout the season,but have City really been the best?Amongst us both,I find it hard to argue that City are better.What,9 goals better?I'm willing to admit that City are good,but better than us?I dont think so.But then I'm a Utd fan so you wouldnt expect me to be crowing about City now would you?Just like all the City fans will think that they were "deserving" winners should they eventually win the league.But what is true is that Utd have not been Utd for a long time now.But yet,we're still here on the last day,hoping that a team that cost 235mill or whatever will slip up to QPR.That means we've not had a bad season,but we havent been excellent either.With 3-4 good top class buys in the summer,we could once again be that Utd of old,but if we're gonna look for cheap buys/gamble on talent/develop players then I aint sure we're gonna see the real UTD anytime soon.Still hope left in this season though,as unlikely as it seems..so lets wait and see
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Posted by A27 on 05/09/2012
All that said if citeh win the title on mother's day i would like it changed forever to Mother####er day
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Posted by Shiner on 05/09/2012
Well done Mark, you really know how to write for your demographic. My God, I've never seen such a group of bellyachers in my life. You all speak of history and class, well try showing some! To ManUtd20andmore, you are a credit to your fanbase. Shame more of them aren't like you. I'm sure your name will come to fruition in the not too distant future.
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Posted by Balan Pillai on 05/10/2012
Well, I have read some of the comments on `The Fear'. We all know the last game will decide the title for this season. If I can talk to Ferguson I would ask him to take the biggest change this season. I would ask him to play 3 defenders, 2 midfielders and five forwards. And play attacking game for the 90 minutes. The point is score as much as can. Losing the game will not change anything here, but winning with big margin 8-0 or 9-0 might change. The players should get the fear off the mind. the fans should get the fear off their mind.Fear can kill you but drastic change would not.
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Posted by jamoo on 05/10/2012
I think fergie was scared shitless of city `n he ended up pickin the wrong team,I was very disappointed when i saw the line-up that gloomy monday evening and my fear was confirmed a few mins into the game as city dominated us like bitches... we couldnt connect 3 plays in a row `n i was wondering why valencia and young were benched when they have been very consistent in the past 5 games, especially valencia who terrorizes defenders on weekly basis, then i remembered the old man was tryin to play for a draw and he played rite into city`s hands...old man deployed same strategy against barca last yr. city were lucky to score even though they were not prolififc, stil i thought he would change his strategy after halftime but he made very late changes that were noneffective as well...I mean park hasnt been plain for the past ten games and all of a sudden he is in the starting line-up... we volunteered this cup to city bcoz only 3 games b4 derby they had completely given up and were in tatters
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Posted by Suhail on 05/10/2012
Balan - he should have done that against swansea at home. Right now you have to make sure you win against sunderland and don't fall behind so that the city players feel the pressure. If united fall behind it will take a lot of pressure off citeh. We can never beat sunderland 10-0 away.
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Posted by mohammed humaid on 05/10/2012
Man United has more popularity than city and chelsea put together. Their revenues are much higher but the owners of chlsea, Real Madrid and of course city are willing to spend to win trophies while man united owners want to make a buck and turn Man United into a milking cow. by the way with so many City and Chelsea fans entering Man United blog goes to say how much attention and respect they have for Man United. They have to come to this block to be heard. City fans u should know that you will always be in the shadows of United because t hey have tremendous history. The colors have been painted and its a matter of time before Alinhayan boys of EAU will continue splashing their petro dollars get fed up of growing losses.
in the end of it all . Man United has to invest more on players so that we can silence these idiots.
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Posted by Maxitaxi on 05/11/2012
I think we know the game is up so to speak and City will probably lift our trophy on Sunday but what a close thing it was. I guess they just about deserve it as they had slip ups too but kept on in there and I suppose it means that the trophy will stay in Manchester.
Feeling a little maudlin, I was just watching some ESPN Legends mpegs of United on my computer.
Watching the Roy Keane episode leads me to beg Sir Alex, please scour the world to find such a warrior because that is what is missing. His presence, his leadership, his anger, his prowess and his inspiration as captain to push the rest of the team to the final seconds of the game. Who can forget Juventus 1999! And while you’re at it, another Eric would help!
Well done City, I guess we will have to put up with the gloating for a while, but also well done Reds, you took them to the wire and no shame in that. There's always next season!
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Posted by Ivey on 05/11/2012
After the derby, SAF should have conceded the title to City, and thus make them nervous about losing it. United has the advantage of playing without pressure on Sunday. Anyhow, all I´m asking is that the City game remain scoreless for the first half and see the City players and fans suffer a bit.
Posted by Moorside Red on 05/12/2012
Agreed Ivey. It looks a bit pathetic to be putting our faith in QPR winning an unlikely point at the Etihad. Even if SAF didn't concede the title, he and the players should not be talking up the prospect of City tripping up. There is a need for a little dignity here and a measure of acceptance for what looks like the inevitable is part of that.
As to the sad muppets who are all looking to bury United on the basis of one less than successful season - all your comments are an illustration of the real fear - that your teams will never measure up to what United have achieved in the Premier League.
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About
Mark Payne writes about football for a variety of media outlets. He reported on the 2010 World Cup for Australia’s ABC network and worked at one of the FIFA fan sites. He has been ESPN’s Manchester United correspondent for four years. His writing attracts a worldwide following and in 2011 this blog was nominated for an award. To contact Mark for football discussion e-mail him on markpayne.editor@hotmail.com at any time. He wears lucky socks on match days.
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