Manchester Melee
Manchester: the name is synonymous with football greatness. Legends like Cantona, Schmeichel, Beckham, Giggs, Scholes and Rooney have all channeled their power through the guiding hand of Sir Alex Ferguson to produce years of unequaled brilliance in the English game. But now, a force seen by many as indomitable and unstoppable is rising to challenge the Red Devils. ‘There’s only one team in Manchester’ they cry, pointing out the geographical truth that arguably earns Manchester City the title of ‘The People’s Club,’ but their relationship with populism ends there. Since the takeover of Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansour in 2008, Manchester City has outlaid and immense amount of money to lure players to a club traditionally bereft of the success enjoyed by their more distinguished suburban neighbors. Players like Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure have shown themselves to be true warriors for the club and though they cost a combined 30 million pounds, one could make the case that they were worth the investment. For every quality transfer to the Etihad Stadium, at least one poor one was made. City shelled out 25 million pounds for Emmanuel Adebayor, who ultimately made just 34 appearances before a loan to Real Madrid. That’s nearly 800,000 pounds per appearance in transfer fees alone. Jerome Boateng cost City 10.4 million pounds and played even fewer games, just 16, before finding himself on a flight back to Germany. But the biggest splash came in the form of Carlos Tevez, a man who joined the Premier League with West Ham United in 2006 under a cloud of controversy, then jumped ship to Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League winning side, scoring the first penalty on Chelsea in the final. But Tevez would not ultimately cut a beloved figure at Old Trafford, and a year later he put pen to paper on deal with City reported at just short of 50 million pounds. Tevez’ first year at City was harmonious, with the squad voting the Argentine player of the year. The good times were not to last however, and less than one season later Tevez handed in a transfer request. So much hemming, hawing, cajoling, teasing and bluffing has gone on ever since between Carlitos and City, it’s enough to make you sick. City’s manager Roberto Mancini once stated that Tevez would never again suit up for the sky blues, yet here we are at a crucial moment at the end of the season and Carlos Tevez will almost certainly see playing time and play a role in today’s game. Manager Roberto Mancini is so desperate to knock off United and win the title that he will seemingly swallow any amount of insubordination from the likes of Tevez and the confounding Mario Balotelli to get there. I would be wary of such policies and the predisposition of Mancini to be an extremely sympathetic “player’s coach.” When one starts to make compromises it can be difficult to know where to stop. Manchester United has generated and regenerated their team many times over through Alex Ferguson’s quarter century at United and their success has come through concrete and timeless principles: loyalty, discipline and heart. United is a well heeled club to be sure, no one needs to start up a collection for the global giant with corporate partners galore and a 76,000 capacity stadium. But when you compare United’s project to that of City, the differences in terms of character and motivation are stark. Patrice Evra claimed that if City start winning titles, they will be nigh impossible to stop. Given the funds and talent amassed at the Etihad stadium, his perspective makes all the sense in the world. However, City have yet to prove that they truly posses the desire to win anything of great value. An FA Cup victory last year, going through Manchester Untied and ultimately over Stoke City whetted Mancini’s appetite, but it takes a mighty big dog with a mighty big heart to eat Sir Alex Ferguson’s lunch. Today is a crucial turning point in Manchester’s footballing history and it promises to be a feast. Bon appetit.
