Could Manchester City dominate English football just as United did?
Manchester City need to beat QPR at home this weekend to win this year’s Premier League title and given the Super Hoops’ terrible away record, it looks like it’s City’s title to lose.
If, by some miracle, QPR manage to upset the odds then Manchester United will be ready to pounce on City’s slip up, as they travel to Sunderland on the last day of the season.
Whoever lifts the league title this season, the future looks bright for the Sky Blue side of Manchester as they have the resources financially and the attraction of Champions League football to lure top players to the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester United, on the other hand, look as if they may struggle in the transfer window as already a main target, Eden Hazard, has appeared to snub them in favour of their noisy neighbours. Hazard looked nailed on to join the Red Devils at one stage, but after a scouting mission from Mancini, he appeared to change his mind and recently stated in a French interview that he is likely to be playing in the Blue of City next season.
If he does turn down a move to United, it would have a huge effect psychologically in next season’s title race and it could just be the start of a dominant era for the City fans.
United look as if they may be struggling to hang on to players as well if they don’t make any progress in the transfer window and the first name who appears to be leaving is youngster Paul Pogba. Pogba has been linked with Italian Champions Juventus for months and finally it looks as if the young French midfielder will seal his move in the near future.
His departure will spell more woe for Ferguson who will be furious to see a player who has been progressing through the United system to leave in favour of a European rival.
Despite missing out on Hazard and losing Pogba, one of the players that may make the move to Old Trafford is the Inter Milan playmaker, Wesley Sneijder. Sir Alex has been interested in the Dutchman for a couple of seasons now and sees him as a potential replacement for the ageing Paul Scholes. He would indeed bring some much needed creativity into a very average midfield set up.
The early signs for next season are very worrying for Manchester United fans and we could be on the verge of a new era in English football. Manchester City is now the more attractive club to the elite players in the game as they offer more money and more opportunity to win the major competitions.
This does not make Manchester United an unattractive proposition for players, but with Eden Hazard opting to play his football at the Etihad next season, it shows that the Red Devils are not the untouchable side that they once were.
City will no doubt improve their squad once again as they look to improve in the Champions League and unless one of the London-based teams dramatically add to their current squads, then it could be a one-horse race in next season’s Premier League.
For now, City just have to focus on winning their first Premier League title and then kick on from there. If they slip up at home against QPR then Manchester United will be there to capitalise on their error, but whatever happens this weekend, it looks as if the future is Blue for the city of Manchester.
Alex Smith
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