City are on a mission
DERBY DAY: VICTORY OVER UNITED WOULD EQUAL REAL’S WINNING STREAK
The Premier League title race is all over bar the shouting but Manchester United at least have the opportunity to halt Manchester City’s assault on the European record books when the sides meet in tomorrow’s derby at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s win over Wolves this week was their 21st in a row in all competitions and 15th in succession in the league and left them 14 points clear of second-placed United, who could only draw 0-0 with Crystal Palace.
Pep Guardiola insists the priority is reclaiming the English title, but the Spaniard will also be aware that his side are in sight of surpassing some of the longest winning streaks in European soccer’s biggest leagues.
Victory over United would equal the 22 successive wins achieved by Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid in 2014-15.
It would also put them just one win away from equalling Bayern Munich’s 23-game winning streak achieved last season and two behind Ajax Amsterdam, who under Louis van Gaal embarked on a 25-match winning run in 1995.
The official top-level world record of 27 consecutive wins held by Welsh club New Saints is also looming into view, but tomorrow, at least, all that will become secondary.
While United are in danger of stalling after three successive 0-0 draws in all competitions, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can boast a decent record in the derby, winning three of his last six encounters with City.
This season’s clash at Old Trafford ended 0-0 with United showing little ambition, a worrying trend whenever they have faced one of their immediate rivals this season.
They have failed to win any of their seven games against the socalled “big six” this season, scoring only once.
While United boast a proud away record this season, still unbeaten on their travels in the top flight, Solskjaer will be expected to send a side out showing more ambition.
Solskjaer says the clash with City will provide “extra spice” but how many risks he will be prepared to take against a rampant City on course to beat their own joint-record 18-match Premier League winning run, is questionable.
Third-placed Leicester City are only a point behind United ahead of their game at Brighton today.
West Ham, who are sixth, host Leeds United on Monday, while Chelsea are at home to Everton in another match that will have a big influence in the quest to secure Champions League football. –