With the Premier League fast approaching, it seems that 19-times league champions, Manchester United, have not learnt any lessons from last season and may as well give City the title in August.
Protestations from City’s Italian manager, Roberto Mancini, that United are favourites for the title in the 2012-13 season are just mind games, that his opposite number, Sir Alex Ferguson, once reveled in, but is now the victim.
Mancini’s comments are not reflected in the Premier League odds on Bet Victor, which are very enthusiastic (1/1) about the Citizens’ title chances.
Despite having to wait till injury-time in the final game of last season, when that Sergio Aguero strike against QPR finally secured the blue half of Manchester its first title in 44 years, the gulf in class between the two sides was astronomical, and it is only getting wider.
The Red Devils capitulation last season was not that of champions, as they surrendered the league in such catastrophic fashion. Ferguson’s men threw away an eight point lead in the final six games of the season. Yes, your read that right; eight points!
City are now stronger in every department. United’s defence remains in tatters. The Old Trafford-based side currently only have one fully fit defender, in the ageing Rio Ferdinand, while Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, and Jonny Evans are all injured.
Fergie may even play Michael Carrick as a make shift centre-back, hardly the best way to start a campaign.
Compare this with the stature of Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, and Micah Richards in City’s defensive ranks, and it only leads to one conclusion.
If you take both sides as they stand now, City would only welcome Wayne Rooney to their team, while United would be desperate for players like Aguero, Yaya Toure, and David Silva to pull on the red shirt.
United’s two summer signings, Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell, are hardly in that league.
Last season, United flattered to deceive; this time around, the Red Devils will find that they cannot simply trade off their name. Unless something changes radically in the next week, United fans will once again lose all bragging rights, come May.
Show your support for the Red Devils by participating in some Manchester United betting, ahead of the start of the new season.
