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Manchester United has never seen such a derby, there I said never again, yes United old Boy Denis Law back heeled them to religation in 1974 but then it was inconsequential thanks to results elsewhere.
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This encounter is far from inconsequential, with United's draw against Everton, City are now only three points adrift and with a better goal difference than their illustriously red neighbours. Sir Alex even said that leaves the initiative with the blue side of Manchester, because should they win their remaining three fixtures they will be crowned champions 44 years after their first league title. Talking about 44 years Sir Alex has been involved in 44 derby's at the helm and when asked at the post match conference after the Everton match, if this is more important than any of those before, he replied "Definately".
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United have now conceded 19 goals at Old Trafford this season one more than the last time they conceded so many 29 years ago in 83/84. Maybe its not such a bad thing this derby is at the Etihad as United has conceded the least goals away this season, notibly 4 less than City.
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Five days and a weekend of English Premier League football lies ahead yet all focus is on this Monday nights fixture. Nevermind boths teams still have two more fixtures, United still have Swansea at home, Sunderland away on the final day and City must travel to Newcastle and have Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad to contend with before any champions can be crowned.
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My feelng is that the title is still United's to lose as I said in my previous post (To Manchester the Title), City have to win and United just have to avoid defeat, but because City have to win it plays nicely in the hands of the counter-attacking United line up Sir Alex will pick. The last 15 minutes against Everton will concern United but I'd much rather be in the red corner than the blue with three games remaining.
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Andre Marriner will officiate this encounter and it will be the first time this season he is in charge of a City match. He oversaw United's October draw against Liverpool, which was overshadowed by the Patrice Evra-Luis Suarez racism row and if I recalled he was incharge of a Manchester Derby when Wayne Rooney scored that spectacular overhead kick winner at Old Trafford.
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"Touch wood" this fixture of such huge importance doesn't turn out to be a huge disappointment where both teams cancel each other out and its over before it really starts. My prediction won't change United to win it by 2.
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Jade Christopher Bentley Adams (JCBA)
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