IT’S IN THE MANC
United’s power versus City’s slickers... after a storming start to the season, is the title already down to a contest between the two Manchester giants?
Manchester City and Manchester United are locked at the top of the Premier League with identical records after storming starts to the season. The pair are both unbeaten, with 13 points from a possible 15, having smashed 16 goals apiece while conceding just two. Champions Chelsea are hot on their heels, but the Blues, along with Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool, all dropped points at the weekend. Is it inevitable that the title will be heading to Manchester next May? Our reporters have their say.
MIKE WALTERS
YES, it’s a two-horse race. Which one is Red Rum and which is Desert Orchid? Take your pick, but already it looks like a straight fight between United’s power and City’s slickers. I was at Vicarage Road for City’s demolition of Watford, and there has not been a more comprehensive and articulate performance by an away side in the parish of Saint Elton for about 30 years. When City are in such an irresistible mood, it’s hard to see anyone stopping them. But if anyone is equipped to park the bus, it’s Jose Mourinho. He has brought renewed clout to United’s spine, by signing Nemanja Matic and Romelu Lukaku in the summer, and it will be fascinating to see which model cracks first: United’s power or City’s precision. So it’s not just a two-horse race. It’s a one-city race, and all roads lead to Manchester.
DAVID MCDONNELL
IT’S too early to talk about a Manchester-only carve-up although, on the evidence so far, they look to be the best equipped to last the distance. Liverpool are too vulnerable at the back, Tottenham don’t look comfortable enough playing at Wembley, while Chelsea are not as convincing as they were in winning the title last season. That leaves United and City as the teams to beat this season – and they may well have pulled away from the pack by the time the title race enters the straight. But with only five points separating first from 11th in the Premier League, it’s way too premature to start eliminating all but two of the contenders.
DAVID MADDOCK
TWO-HORSE race? In September? Goodness, does history tell us nothing? Chelsea were 12th at the end of last September and won the title, and City won their first 10 games and didn’t end up as champions. While United have been impressive, their early fixtures have definitely not been on the “tough” spectrum. And Manchester City did thrash Liverpool, but were not in control of that match, before the Sadio Mane (left) red card, for the challenge on Ederson. So the jury is certainly still out. With flair and panache, Pep Guardiola’s side have demonstrated they are the team to beat, but anyone who thinks there is a sure thing will end up very poor.
DARREN LEWIS
ONLY two teams in it? No chance. Yes, both Manchester clubs are devastating going forward. They were excellent at the weekend and fully deserve the praise they are getting. But it’s September. We’ve had five games. It is ludicrous to write off Chelsea and Spurs, to name but two, when they were the teams with the most consistency last season. It is ludicrous to suggest the rest might as well pack up and go home when injuries, suspensions, the Champions League, the League Cup, the FA Cup, egos, tantrums, tactics, a loss of form, bad luck and any number of factors could come into play. I still reckon it go will go down to the wire this season, with Chelsea spoiling Manchester’s bid for dominance by retaining their title. But I wouldn’t dream of writing off the rest.
JOHN CROSS
I BACKED City at the start of the season to win the title and I certainly see no reason to change now. It really does feel like a twohorse race with the way the Manchester cubs have started. I think Chelsea will be in the mix and Spurs too. I think City will edge United because they are sensational on the attack. They have the Silva(s) supply line, De Bruyne in amazing form, and up front Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus look fantastic together. City’s defence is a concern, but they have the firepower to simply outscore teams. I’m still backing City, but United will be their main threat.
NEIL MCLEMAN
YES – this season’s title race will be made in Manchester. The other pretenders will not be able to live with them. Liverpool will let in too many goals, Arsenal are always a defeat away from a crisis, Tottenham won’t win enough games at Wembley and Chelsea – nor Antonio Conte (left) – are right this season. The two Manchester derbies – the first at Old Trafford on December 9 and the return on April 7 – could be title deciders.
ANDY DUNN
THE only thing Manchester United and Manchester City have proved so far is they can win the games they should be winning. United have yet to face a Big Six opponent, while City’s toughest test was made easier by Sadio Mane’s dismissal. United and City are not head and shoulders above the likes of Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool. They have made impressive starts, nothing more. Do not write off any of the Big Six yet.
NEIL MOXLEY
REMEMBER last season when City won so many matches at the start that plenty of people were predicting the title would b e heading to the Etihad? Chelsea weren’t fooled, though, and we know how that panned out. There is only one realistic challenger to the Manchester pair – and that is Antonio Conte and Co. As for the rest, Tottenham are still struggling at Wembley, one good rearguard action hasn’t solved Arsenal’s problems, and Liverpool’s defensive woes will bite them.