Dune
08 Nov 2002, 04:27 AM
On Saturday City takes on their archrivals in what will be the last derby game played at Maine Road. Next season City will be playing their home games in "City of Manchester Stadium" a 48 000 seater originally built for the Commonwealth Games this summer.
City hasn't won against United since the famous 5-1 victory at Maine Road in '89.
The Manchester Derby is always a fierce history but this year the heat has been turned up even more. The Keane-Haaland incident, City wanting to leave Maine Road on a high and the fact that there is no love shared between managers Ferguson and Keegan adds to the excitement.
But the thing that makes this derby more interesting than most of the ones played during the nineties are that both City and United fans realises that the gap between the clubs is not nearly as wide as it was a few years ago. City is still the underdog but a win on Saturday would not be a huge surprise.
United will be without Keane, Butt (both injured) and Beckham (suspended) on Saturday. On the other hand did City's League Cup game against Wigan Athletic turn in to a nightmare, not only a disappointing 0-1 loss, add to that both Howey and Distin injured. Keegan will have to totally rewamp the defence Saturday.
There is no question the injuries hit City harder than United, But somehow I get a feeling that this time City will come out on top.
I predict City 2 United 1, Veron gives United the lead in the first half, Anelka equalizes after the break and Goater gets the winner in the 85' minute...
City hasn't won against United since the famous 5-1 victory at Maine Road in '89.
The Manchester Derby is always a fierce history but this year the heat has been turned up even more. The Keane-Haaland incident, City wanting to leave Maine Road on a high and the fact that there is no love shared between managers Ferguson and Keegan adds to the excitement.
But the thing that makes this derby more interesting than most of the ones played during the nineties are that both City and United fans realises that the gap between the clubs is not nearly as wide as it was a few years ago. City is still the underdog but a win on Saturday would not be a huge surprise.
United will be without Keane, Butt (both injured) and Beckham (suspended) on Saturday. On the other hand did City's League Cup game against Wigan Athletic turn in to a nightmare, not only a disappointing 0-1 loss, add to that both Howey and Distin injured. Keegan will have to totally rewamp the defence Saturday.
There is no question the injuries hit City harder than United, But somehow I get a feeling that this time City will come out on top.
I predict City 2 United 1, Veron gives United the lead in the first half, Anelka equalizes after the break and Goater gets the winner in the 85' minute...