The Other Team in Manchester

Love them or hate them, when you hear the words “Manchester United”, “Man U”, or simply “United”, there is a sense of aura in the air. Now say “Manchester City”, “Man C”, or “City”. Do you get the same feeling? I think not! Aura is something that comes with success and power over a long period of time.

The football business in this part of the world is now a game for Millionaires, Billionaires, Oligarchs, or in other words…..people with tonnes of cash. But who in their right mind would think of buying a poxy little “also ran” club who has not won a major honour in 33 years, from a dingy hole of a city in the north of England? The answer – Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Nahyan, with an estimated personal fortune of £33 billion. It is this sort of money that enabled Manchester City to snap up superstar Robinho for a British transfer record £32.5 million, not forgetting about the reported £108 million audacious bid for Brazilian playmaker Kaka.

Sheikh Mansour and co has big plans for the club and seems to be assembling a good squad that could boost them into the top 6 next season. The recent signing of Gareth Barry was a good one for the club but in my opinion, not a good one for the man himself. If it was success and European football he was looking for, then maybe he should have signed with Liverpool or Tottenham who were keen on snapping him up and are teams that actually have more than a realistic chance of finishing up the ladder.
Although City has a string of “good” players, there is still a lack of “world class” performers (with exception of that greedy little weasel, Robinho) who can excel the club to the heights of English and European football.

If Sheikh Mansour is looking to build a successful team, then he will require more than cash. He must ensure that his acquisitions have a desire to be at the club, have a common vision, and are able to adapt to club values and lifestyle. He must also take a back seat and let his coaching staff do what they do best and assemble a team that can “win” football matches.

I had the pleasure of sitting with City fans a few years back at Selhurst Park during their match with Crystal Palace. It is their passion, humour and hospitality that makes them the best fans in England. Let’s hope they have something to celebrate soon!
I wish Manchester City Football Club all the best in achieving their objectives over the coming seasons and hope they can push the top teams in what has become the most exciting and competitive football league in the world. I also hope that they dish out a thrashing to the other team in Manchester on derby day. Do me a favour Richard Dunne and make sure that pathetic excuse for a man, Ronaldo, ends up on a stretcher along with a box of tissue in hand for the tears!