WHO ARE YOU TWO KIDDING?
WHEN the clock strikes 5pm today, we’ll know whether Manchester City or United have beaten their local rivals into fourth to claim the final Champions League spot.
Frankly, given the seasons both clubs have had, neither of them deserve it.
City have been desperately disappointing and only the return of Kevin De Bruyne late on, following his lengthy injury lay-off, the promising signs of Kelechi Iheanacho and the goals of Sergio Aguero have brought any brightness to their campaign.
Spark
At United, it has been every bit as dour, with only the FA Cup run and the emergence of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Timothy Fosu- Mensah and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson providing a spark.
The fact we’re talking here about youngsters making all the difference at two clubs who, between them, have easily spent £1billion-plus on transfers and wages in the past three or four years simply isn’t good enough.
It also tells us that, the recruitment at both clubs is probably not the best and that City and United have wasted a hell of a lot of money in recent years.
Today’s games – United host Bournemouth while City travel to Swansea – are massive.
Should United pip City to f ourth, Pep Guardiola will arrive at the Etihad to face the ignominy of playing Europa League football.
It won’t exactly be the start to life in England he was looking for.
That said, and despite City’s failings, he will still inherit the basis of a very good side.
He’ll have a lot of money to spend, he will spend it well, and his squad members will react to him.
United, on the other hand, seem a bit stale and, if they miss out on the top four, it is they who will suffer the most.
There are no obvious signs that Louis van Gaal is definitely on his way, even though Jose Mourinho thinks he has the United job. The Dutchman seems sure he will be given the third and final year of his contract. And, if so, United would find themselves in a strange position of being a club without Champions League football and wi t h a manager not all top players want to play for. Three or four years ago, that would have been unthinkable, which is why this is a pivotal summer. ROY HODGSON namesmes hiss Englandgand squad d tomorrow thisthi summer f for Francee withith Hart, Heaton,Ht ForsterForst r – Clyne,Cl Cahill,,Cahill, Rose Rose, Bert Bertrand, Smalling,S lli g, , d , Milner,,Mil S Stones,ones,ones J Jagielkagi lk Alli,,Alli Dier,Di , Wil Wilshere,i, – h de Sterling, Lallana, H Henderson,e , Kane,, Barkley – Vardy, Sturridgeurrige anand certainties. Rooneyony alla l Then it’ll be one Dri Drinkwater,ater,k ater, D Delph, of l p h Townsendownsenownse d Walcott..ott.. perhapspps orr Drinkwaterater fo for th the season hhhe has hadhad. had.
Ambling
The only way to get the fans onside would be to bring in Mourinho. We know Guardiola is coming to City, we know Antonio Conte is coming to Chelsea and both are great managers. At United, top dog Ed Woodward looks to be ambling along, waiting for something to happen rather than seizing the moment. It makes me wonder whether United have looked at the signings of Guardiola and Conte and decided to lull everyone into believing they’re a spent f orce. Then BANG! – “Manchester United are delighted to announce Jose Mourinho has agreed to be their new manager ahead of the 2016-17 campaign”.
It would certainly be a ‘have that’ to the rest of the football world.
What other explanation could there be?
Should that not be the case, then even if Van Gaal does win the FA Cup on Saturday there will be an antipathy from many fans going into next season which has to be addressed.
The only way to do that is to make United a flair side again and sort out the lack of creativity in midfield which has stymied them this time out.
Juan Mata drifts in and out of games and seasons, while Wayne Rooney might ping 30 or 40-yard passes, but very few incisive, killer passes. He is no creative No.10.
United have good young strikers in Martial who, I hope, is given a chance in the central role, and Rashford.
Now, Woodward and his manager, whoever it will be, need to get creative themselves in the transfer market to ensure that, if United do miss out on the Champions League, they do not drop out of the reckoning for many more years to come.