Is the Manchester derby to decide the title winner? from FootballCoin on Vimeo.
It’s the most highly anticipated game of the season. But is the Manchester derby the game that will decide the EPL title winner? It’s only natural that interest for the game would be very high. After all English football has seen a great increase in recent seasons. Some of the biggest names in football have made their way to British shores lately.
And the investments are seemingly paying off. The Premier League’s popularity is at one of the highest levels it has been in years. English sides have been performing well in European competitions. In fact all teams taking part in the Champions League have qualified from their respective groups. And the derby plays host to the teams that have dominated this year’s competition.
United and City are in fact the teams that have improved the most since last season. The general consensus is that the managers, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, are only now getting to showcase their vision. It’s only their second season in charge, but both managers have their reputation at stake and possibly their jobs. Leading two teams with some of the best squads in the world, expectations are understandably high.
Shay Given, former Man. City goalkeeper, tries to answer the much-asked question. “Is the Manchester derby vital in telling us who the Premier League winner will be?”. Given says that while the game is important, the long number of remaining fixtures could still turn things around. The keeper seems to think that even if City wins and extends their lead at the head of the table, they will still need to remain sharp and prove themselves.
If anything, the EPL has proven it’s home to many very strong sides. The biggest teams in England often lose points where least expected. No matter the outcome of the Manchester derby, both teams will be expected to continue to try and prove themselves up until the end of the season.