As Manchester City have fallen into wealth, the rivalry between the two Manchester clubs has intensified. The noisy neighbours of Manchester United have got Old Trafford rattled of late, putting their dominance to the test. The Manchester derby has never failed to entertain.
With both sides being kept apart in the Semi-Finals of the Capital One Cup this year, the Final could be set to be covered in red and blue scarves, flags and other merchandise, as Wembley might host the two Northern rivals.
If the Final does present fans with an all Manchester clash, neutrals will be sure to tune in to watch the excitement, having witnessed late goals, twists and turns and one-sided games over the recent years.
David Moyes’ first encounter of this rivalry didn’t go the way that United fans hoped, falling to a 4-1 defeat at the Etihad. United fans travelled across the city to their neighbour’s ground and found their side lacked the clinical edge that Manuel Pellegrini’s men showed. Neutrals will be hoping for a similar encounter to the thrilling match at the Etihad Stadium that saw United clinch a 3-2 win after Vincent Kompany’s sending off for a two-footed tackle. Or the fixture that saw Robin van Persie bend in a free-kick in the 90th minute to give United all three points at the Etihad.
The list of games goes on, with both of these huge clubs always delivering quality results. Citizen fans’ favourite fixture has to be the 6-1 win at Old Trafford for Man City. United were awful and their neighbours were another class. City manager at the time, Roberto Mancini went on to win the league on goal difference that year and no doubt that 6-1 performance made a real statement about his side’s firepower up front.
With the way that each team are going this season, both managers will be looking to take the Capital One Cup trophy back to their side of Manchester. David Moyes will be looking to lift the trophy in an attempt to please the fans with some silverware and to continue the dominant tradition at Old Trafford, whereas Manuel Pellegrini will be looking towards equalling their rivals record of the treble as they press on for the league while also being strongly tipped to win the Champions League, as well as the Capital One Cup.
Both teams will be expected to reach the Final, and no doubt football fans of all clubs will tune in to watch this Manchester derby as the excitement that surrounds the Capital One Cup reaches fever pitch.
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