For many, a game a decade ago marked the turning point in Manchester football rivalry. Edin Dzeko scored the last goal of the Skyblues after a pass from David Silva, which resulted in an unforgettable 6-1 final in Manchester City’s spectacular win at Old Trafford – and football in the city has never been completely the same.
“This city is ours,” Manchester City fans have mocked their rivals ever since. After having had to live for decades in a city where the reds dominated and the sky blues sank deeper and deeper, City had finally returned the favor
In the last ten years the clubs have developed in opposite directions. City are on the hunt for titles, while United are increasingly in the shadow of their arch-rivals. The Red Devils have not landed in front of City since 2014 and apart from the 2015/16 season, when they were only separated in fourth and fifth due to goal difference, they did not even come close.
On average, the two clubs have been 15 points apart over the past eight years and at the end of the 2018/19 season they were separated by an incredible 32 points. The 6-1 victory in 2011 can in some ways be seen as a decisive moment.
City had only won once in 37 years at Old Trafford and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was accordingly confident of victory. Before the derby, he was asked if his team would ever be underdogs. “Not in my life,” was the reply. After the humiliating 90 minutes, Ferguson looked visibly shocked as he walked down the sideline and passed a mostly empty stadium.
Manchester City: The 2011/12 title as a turning point
City players were accused of joining the Skyblues just for the money, but winning the 2011/12 title definitely underscored the project’s ambitions. “We wanted to win this game to prove to everyone that we mean business in this league,” said former defender Joleon Lescott, who made it 6-1.
“We were particularly motivated as a group because nobody outside of the club took us seriously. We were only together because ManCity showered us with money – that was the impression, but that wasn’t our real motivation. We believed that we can achieve something and be successful, “said the 26-time England international.
City won the title that season after another decisive derby win at the end of the season. Although Ferguson managed to recapture the title in his final season (2012/13), the fact is that United have been the underdog in virtually every derby since then. The fear factor has long since disappeared: City have won eight of their last 13 games at Old Trafford.
ManUnited: The optimism is gone
Some still consider the 6-1 win to be a crazy result, with three goals scored in stoppage time and United were down to ten at the time. However, part of the truth is that it can be repeated this weekend. Finally, United suffered a similar humiliation in the last home game in the Premier League against Liverpool (0-5).
Cristiano Ronaldo’s exploits in recent weeks have given some United fans hope for a derby victory. However, there are also many who would be happy if a disgrace like the one against the Reds two weeks ago did not repeat itself.
The initial optimism that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could launch a long overdue attack on the title seems to have vanished and another heavy defeat would increase the pressure on the Norwegian again. The current problems in the coaching bench are symptomatic of the different ways of working of the two clubs.
The next bad cast: United clings to Solskjaer
City has made his dream commitment with Guardiola and is already looking at potential successors who could compensate for his possible departure. Solskjaer, meanwhile, is the latest in a string of bad appointments – a club legend hoped for success after the energetic approach of Jose Mourinho, the tactical straitjacket of Louis van Gaal and the “chosen one” David Moyes failed.
There are no obvious candidates for the successor, which is why some believe that Solskjaer is being clung to. Similar to the search for a coach, the situation is with new signings. Not all of the players Guardiola signed have been a success, but each of them has been specifically chosen to fill a specific role in their strategy.
Stars such as Donny van de Beek and Jadon Sancho who have been signed for a lot of money do not get beyond a bank seat at United and do not have a clear role in the team. Others like Fred and Harry Maguire have been courted by City and have had a tough time since joining city rivals. How different could their careers have been under Guardiola.
What to blame Solskjaer: He has a track record against Guardiola and postponed the 2018 title celebrations with a memorable win at Etihad. He could also score a surprise win on Saturday. United has won one or two battles over the past decade, but City has always won the war.
