Thumps up to the Manchester clubs

Editor,First, I must state that it’s all over for Manchester United this season. The defending champions, I guess, have now realized they have a new real challenger for the English Premier League titles, right in their own city. The Noisy Neighbours. Gone are the days when United enthroned themselves as the genuine representatives of the City of Manchester, when they always looked far beyond their city for rivals – mostly Liverpool, Arsenal and more recently Chelsea.In Manchester City, United have a new rival, and a real one – for many years to come. Following City’s all-important win yesterday at Newcastle, it’s now almost certain that this season’s trophy will cross from the RED to the BLUE half of Manchester.It has not come as a surprise though. United blew their chances when they lost to their cross-city rivals last Monday, with two games to go. And that loss followed a pattern. Days earlier, Alex Ferguson’s men incredibly surrendered a massive eight-point lead at the top, including allowing Everton to rally back from 4-2, to draw 4-4 at the Old Trafford, before their short trip to Etihad.Even as United won their home game against Swansea hours after Manchester City’s victory, yesterday, the latter remains firmly in position to win their first title in more than four decades – both teams are at par with 86 points apiece), but the Roberto Manchini’s boys lead their rivals on superior goal deference.With each side remaining with just a game, it’s almost certain City win lift their 2011/12 EPL in their next game. That will see United finish the season empty handed. For Ferguson and his entourage this season will be remembered as one of the most frustrating ones ever, with several disappointing displays and horrible defeats to lowly sides, both at home and in Europe.For City and their new oil-laden owners, it’s a hugely uplifting season, with a title that could go a long way in tilting the centres of power in English football. If Man City go on to win this season’s title, justice will have been served. The club has invested heavily, bringing several talented, exciting and world-class players to the previously shunned blue half of Manchester. In broader picture, their phenomenal rise means that the two Manchester-based teams are likely to impose the dominance in the league, with the title changing hands between the two. It means that the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea will now need to do more if they are to win the title. Looking at the gap between the two Manchester clubs and Arsenal, which is in third position, one can’t help but wonder how much it will cost to take the title out of Manchester.It’s a hard fact that money is a strong factor in success. Eugene KarekeziKabeza

Opinions

Thumps up to the Manchester clubs