Premier, United-City derby: Carrick against Guardiola

At Old Trafford the two souls of Manchester will be mirrored with opposite moods. United almost don’t recognize themselves, victims of a vortex of anarchy and endless crisis. City flaunting the solidity of the Guardiola era, in his tenth year at the helm of the Citizens, where he built a dynasty that was never close to waning. The Red Devils travel close to the Europe zone, their cousins ​​chase Arsenal, hunting for a new Premier League.

secret

—

Pep’s explanation, on the eve of the derby, is certainly caustic but fitting: “Here they are patient, there are no other secrets. In other clubs, after last season I would have been sacked. They were also patient because of what we had done in the past, which was something extraordinary.” The dig at the other side, who changed eight coaches during his reign at City, is anything but subtle, but ultimately the Spanish coach got to the heart of the matter. Without those 18 trophies won, including 6 Premier League and one Champions League, Pep would have enjoyed a much different indulgence, but United above all must wonder about the historic turnaround that has written a new page in English football.

opposite worlds

—

Lost in memory is the time when the Red Devils were a model of continuity and programming mythologized throughout Europe. That of Alex Ferguson who remained at the helm of the club for almost 27 years, creating a golden generation, stringing together triumphs and recalling the exploits of his legendary predecessor Matt Busby, United’s other sacred monster. The end of Sir Alex’s era, however, coincided with a hellish journey from which there is no exit. Also stimulated by City’s coup, which coincided with Guardiola’s arrival in England. Year 2016: Pep at City and Mourinho at United, continuation of an explosive rivalry which, however, is short-lived. Mou remained in the saddle for two and a half years, then the ballet of the bench at United became dizzying: Solskjaer, Rangnick, Ten Hag, the interim of Van Nisterlooij, up to the Amorin card, then replaced by Fletcher who has now given way to the legend Carrick. Eight in all, an endless whirlwind dotted with a river of money invested for the longed-for rebirth which has produced, from 2016 onwards, 4 trophies: an FA Cup, a Europa League and two League Cups. Meanwhile, the Premier has been missing for 13 years, an ulcerative outcome also because it overlaps with the supremacy built by Pep on the other front. Today was yet another face-to-face, from a position of subservience with Carrick’s debut on the bench, but already classified as ferryman. Barring unsuspected surges in June he will say goodbye. Then off to yet another revolution. Hoping that Guardiola, ready to welcome the latest arrival Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, does not open the board again.