United, City braced for 'derby of all derbies'

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom - The defining plot twist of the most enthralling title race in years could be written on Monday as Manchester City attempt to seize control of their Premier League destiny against leaders Manchester United.

   Three weeks ago, United already had one hand on a record 20th title after  City’s defeat at Arsenal left Sir Alex Ferguson’s team a hefty eight points  clear with only six games remaining.
   But a poor run of results from United, which has seen them take only four  points from a possible nine, has suddenly given City the chance to put  themselves back on pole position as the finish line looms into view.
   An estimated worldwide television audience of more than 650 million is  expected to tune in for a match that is being hyped as the biggest in Premier  League history.
   “This is the derby game of all derby games,” Ferguson said. “It’s in the  blood of the supporters and I know lots of fans who would give everything to  win this game,” the United manager added.
   City midfielder Gareth Barry also emphasised the unique nature of the  top-of-the-table duel.
   “People are speaking of this as being the biggest game in Premier League  history and it’s a massive game to play in,” Barry said.
   “I don’t think you can get away from the size of the game against United  and the pressure.”    The equation for City is simple: a victory on Monday would see them return  to the top of the table.
   Wins at Newcastle and at home to Queens Park Rangers would then guarantee  City the title, provided United are unable to make up their rivals’ significant  advantage in goal difference, which currently stands at plus six.
   City manager Roberto Mancini has attempted to douse the expectation level  by stating that United will remain favourites for the title even if they lose,  citing the champions’ final two matches against Swansea and Sunderland.
   “I think they have more chance than us because we play the derby on Monday,  after we play against Newcastle, that will be a very tough game,” Mancini said.
   “Instead United play Swansea and Sunderland. For them, they will be two  easy games.”    Ferguson meanwhile is relishing the challenge from opponents he views as  the biggest threat to United’s position at the summit of the English game owing  to the club’s seemingly limitless wealth.
   United have already demonstrated that they have the know-how to get a  result at a ground where City have dropped just two points all season, winning  January’s FA Cup third round tie 3-2.
   Yet Ferguson must be concerned by the sudden frailty of a United defence  that was punctured repeatedly by Everton last weekend in a 4-4 draw.
   City, who humiliated United 6-1 at Old Trafford in October, have rattled in  12 goals in their past three games, and their nimble strikeforce of Sergio  Aguero and Carlos Tevez will fancy their chances of adding to that haul if Rio  Ferdinand and Jonny Evans have another off-day.
   Of all the storylines to emerge from this year’s Premier League  page-turner, it is the re-emergence of Tevez that is potentially the most  compelling.
   Ostracised by Mancini after his infamous refusal to warm-up during the  Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich in September, the former United  striker then disappeared to Argentina for three months of unauthorised leave.
   Mancini, who had previously said Tevez would never play for the club again,  has been forced to reverse his stance during the run-in, particularly after  ill-discipline saw Mario Balotelli sidelined for three games.
   Tevez has responded to his recall by delivering goals, adding an injection  of verve to a City forward line that had been struggling to reproduce their  scintillating early season form.
   Tevez, who is expected to seek a move this summer, will be putting his  talents on show to a mammoth worldwide audience on Monday, with a record 16  broadcasters airing the match live.
   “The interest in this game from around the world is unprecedented,” a City  spokesman said. - AFP