Little Manchester feel to fierce derby rivals
Giggs, Kidd exceptions as foreigners rule
THE Manchester derby is now one of the biggest match- ups in world football. Millions across the globe cram around TV screens to catch a glimpse of the fixture, and its appeal gets ever greater with each passing season.
But just how Manchester is the clash between City and United? Sportsmail takes a look at everything local between the two giants. OWNERS At Old Trafford, there remains a resentment for those upstairs. That the owners are from Tampa and not Timperley, however, is irrelevant. The Glazer family could be from Timbuktu – their cash-draining tenure is still hard to take even though the yellow-and-green scarves are not as easy to spot.
Across town, however, the sheikh who shook it up for the Blues is a hero. Is there a more popular owner in football? While City fans may no longer (thankfully) pay homage by wearing Arabic robes or waving £20 notes in the air, the man from Abu Dhabi is adored. MANAGERS It has always been rare to find a foot- ball club with a home-town manager. However, you do get the sense that both Louis van Gaal and Manuel Pellegrini do their best to familiarise themselves with their environment.
Van Gaal has taken a lot of local knowledge from Ryan Giggs. More than once the Dutchman has asked the son of Salford (via Cardiff ) to speak to the players about the opposition and tell them exactly what victory would mean to the supporters. Giggs, a fierce Red, is said to have come into his own when Liverpool were next up. Van Gaal, who originally stationed himself at a city centre hotel, frequented many of the city's finest eating establishments and knows his way around town. Chilean Pellegrini has also been quick to immerse himself in local culture. COACHES The aforementioned Giggs, as assistant manager, gives the coaching staff at Old Trafford a homegrown element.
Aside from the local lad, the only things missing from Carrington are a windmill and some tulips with Dutch quintet Frans Hoek, Albert Stuivenberg, Marcel Bout, Jos van Dijk and Max Reckers key players.
It is a similar situation at City with Mancunian Brian Kidd, coassistant manager alongside a number of the boss’s trusted lieutenants.
Fiery Argentinian Ruben Cousillas splits responsibilities with Kidd, while goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor and Jose Cabello, both Spaniards, complete the Latin look. PLAYERS Both clubs pride themselves on bringing through their own products.
However, when Sir Alex arrived at Old Trafford he was disgusted to learn that City scooped the cream of Manchester’s talent and quickly (and successfully) set about putting that right.
A generation such as the Class of ’ 92 is unlikely to be seen again, but the derby could see no Mancunians in either squad for the second time in a row.
For three years, after the departure of Wes Brown to Sunderland, Danny Welbeck flew the Manchester flag.
But following his move to Arsenal, November’s first instalment at the Etihad Stadium saw not one home- town native in either squad for the first time in living memory.
Wayne Rooney was only born 30 miles down the road but he may as well be from another planet as far as many from this neck of the woods are concerned.
There will be Italians, Argentines, Spaniards, Ivorians and maybe even a Colombian, but unless Tyler Blackett can stun the football world and force his way into Van Gaal’s line- up, it will be a Manc-free derby. FANS Interest in the derby will be spread all over the world. United like to remind us of their 659 million global followers, while City, according to a recent clubcommissioned report, have a fanbase that is rapidly expanding across the planet. – Daily Mail