THERE are fewer than five miles between the two Manchester clubs — but in terms of quality, they are 100 miles apart right now.
And if that wasn’t worrying enough for United, the way they are going it is a gap I can see getting even wider.
PAManchester United were the dominant force in Manchester for several decades[/caption]
But the balance of power has well and truly shifted in City’s favourREX
GETTYThe Red Devils have had to painfully watch on as their neighbours have dominated all competitions[/caption]
I know I tipped them to give the title a real go this season but you can forget it.
They will be lucky to finish within shouting distance of the top four . . . and even that is a hell of a long shot.
So when City go to Old Trafford this afternoon, there is only one result I can see, for sure.
An away win — and a comfortable one as well. Whether Pep Guardiola’s City team are as good as last year or not, they are a heck of a lot better than United, who I don’t think have progressed at all.
In fact, I would go so far as to say they are no further forward than when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was manager . . . and how many millions have they spent since then?
United were starting to become bang average when Ole was in charge and, for me, nothing has changed.
If City had the pick of anyone in a red shirt, how many would they take?
Maybe Marcus Rashford in top form — which he has not been this season.
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ALAMYMarcus Rashford, on his day, is the only United star capable of getting into City’s team[/caption]
Beyond that? No one. Bruno Fernandes might get on the bench, but he certainly wouldn’t make the starting XI, and the rest wouldn’t even get close.
I look at United and think, “What’s the plan?” They are a very, very pale shadow of some of the teams they have had over the years . . . and they were always exciting.
I still have a scrapbook from ten years old, full of stuff about Duncan Edwards and Bobby Charlton, Eddie Colman and Roger Byrne, all the Busby Babes.
They had great teams under Fergie as well. Ryan Giggs and David Beckham flying at you, Andy Cole or Eric Cantona scoring for fun.
Even when they weren’t mopping up trophies, they would still be great to watch.
And they always had a couple of players you would have loved in your side, like a Bryan Robson or Norman Whiteside.
I took teams to Old Trafford for 20 years and, if you went one down after ten minutes, you knew it was going to be a long day.
But look at them now and they are just very, very ordinary.
They are not producing players like they used to and you have to say the recruitment has been poor.
This is very much Erik ten Hag’s side, not one full of players he inherited. But I struggle to see any star quality — and that’s something United have never lacked.
A manager of any side in the Premier League now — and I mean ANY — would fancy his chances of getting something from United.
You know your players will always be up for it, because of the club they are up against, but in truth they would be taking on an average team.
They are 100 miles apart right now
Harry Redknapp on Manchester City and Manchester United
I know they are at home this afternoon but, for me, United’s best chance is to treat it as though they are underdogs in a cup tie.
They are not on the same level as City, so the only way is to work their socks off and hang in through sheer endeavour.
Like when I was managing Bournemouth against them in the cup.
It is at Old Trafford, so if they do that, then the crowd will lift them and United could feed off it.
Ten Hag has to fire them up to run, chase, work hard for the whole 90 minutes and hope the fans carry them along.
But just to say that about a United side at home is unreal.
In terms of a contest . . . well it really isn’t one. There is no comparison between them.
I keep hearing that Erling Haaland isn’t at the same level as last year — but he still has nine in nine in the Premier League. Imagine when he finds a bit of form!
Then there is Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, the new lad Jeremy Doku, Julian Alvarez . . . top quality everywhere you look.
For me, Rashford is the only United player who can compare and he will be up against Kyle Walker, so will be chasing both ways.
I would love to see a close game with loads of goals but in reality, there’s only one side I can see scoring them — and they won’t be wearing red.
Manchester City are favourites to run riot in the Manchester DerbyGETTY