Reds take on the Blues

During the start of the season I had not expected City to be the closest rival for United’s 20th Title challenge. It was going to be more like Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool. But by the end of 2011, I had almost given up on the 20th title atleast for this year. City’s squad looked invincible on the papers before the start of the battle but as the games went on, they proved it on the pitch too. Goals pouring in from left, right and center. Seemed nobody could stop the city players from finding the back of the net with ease.

For me at the start of the season tomorrow’s match was just another derby match which United would easily win. But after the 6-1 thrashing United received at Old trafford from City and the manner in which the blue half of Manchester were playing, the 2nd derby match looked really important. Being a United fan to the core, by the end of 2011 the chances of regaining the title looked very bleak to me.

Then rose a few of the players to the rescue. David de Gea who looked vulnerable between the post early on had suddenly become a miser hardly letting in goals. Paul Scholes’ return gave the united midfied a must needed reassurance. The ball started to get distributed all over the park and the strikers got much needed ammunitions to fire. Antonio Valencia was only getting better and better with every game. Then last but definitely not the least, our very own knight who has been doing this year in and year out, Sir Alex Ferguson. He has been able to inject that last amount of confidence, self belief in the squad whenever needed. As the new year started the tides started to turn from the blue half of manchester towards the red. A few weeks went by and I could smile with all my 32 teeths shown, when United were 8 points clear of City. Although City have a star studded side most of them have never been under so much of pressure for the title. Whereas United have been doing this almost every year.

Now just when I and most of the United fans were getting ready to see the team crowned the Champions for the 20th time, the reds thought about making the season a little more interesting. I honestly don’t know why and what struck them to do so. We started losing games that even the opposition would not have expected their own team to win. We started scoring goals and letting goals in with the same ease. Just a week back I was hopeful that United would be crowned the champions at Etihad itself, and what a sight it would have been. Now a week later I am hoping that we don’t loose the match for the least, and if I am allowed to be a little greedy then I hope the revenge for the reverse fixture is taken.

Both the squads look good and strong, but I honestly hope that the reds come good. Niether of the two teams managed to reach the Champions League final this year, but trust me, tomorrow’s game is going to be nothing short of a Finals of the Champions.

Go United!!!