Few final weeks in the history of the Premier League can have captured the imagination of the domestic game and far beyond these shores as the titanic battle just past. It pitted the Blues and Reds into a fiery wrestle which had far-reaching ramifications and a solid bearing on the outcome of the 2011/2012 Premier League title.But does the old master, Ferguson, have the same hunger for the fight as he once he did, having seen Mancini deal a hefty body-blow to Manchester United? RIP Fergie?
Rewind three weeks to the Manchester derby. The Blues, having hit another vein of form after a lull, and with home advantage took a huge step to securing their first league title since 1968 thanks to a Vincent Kompany header at the end of the first half. The mind games had been ramped up before the encounter, spilling over into confrontation, sniping and a few choice words between the two bosses. On this occasion at least, Mancini emerged triumphant.
Where United held the upper hand is that they have been there and done it on a number of occasions. 12 in fact under Ferguson, a record as unrivalled as it is unprecedented in the modern game.
Mancini on the other hand had already made a few blunders in his time at Eastlands. The Tevez debacle looked to have done as little for the club’s public relations profile as it had benefited City’s cause in pursuit of the title.
However, now City have done it. Sky Blue fans are ecstatic and Mancini is already talking about making two or three more marquee signings, saying: “We need to improve. We need to have the strength to play Champions League and Premier League.”
What about their rivals though?
Chelsea have made it clear they will overhaul their squad. Arsenal have already started by committing to buy Lukas Podolski. Tottenham will be lucky simply to hold on to their star players.
Manchester United though seem to have paid the price for not strengthening their midfield last season. Phil Jones and David de Gea had a patchy but generally good season, although Ashley Young’s form took a bit of a dive after a promising start. If Ferguson can sell Berbatov to fund the purchase of a midfield general and long-term successor to Scholes, then maybe the Reds can silence the noisy neighbours again.
