Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken a dig at Manchester City’s history ahead of today’s derby match between the two sides. When asked what has changed about the fixture since his playing days, Solskjaer said: “At least we play every year now. It took many years before I played a Manchester derby myself.”
He also added: “City are a better team now than when I was playing. Football has changed quite a lot, we were allowed a few more proper tackles.
“But with every little angle, everything being scrutinised now it’s more of a technical, tactical game than physical mental.”
“A derby should be played as a derby, we don’t play basketball and we’re ready if that happens.”
Is the power-shift in Manchester complete?
Yes
No
TIF Tactics – Has the power shifted in Manchester?
Since United were last crowned as the Premier League champions in the 2012-13 season, Manchester City have lifted the trophy three times. The club have made gigantic strides since the change of ownership and as recently as the summer of 2016, they attracted the man regarded as the world’s greatest coach as well as some of the game’s top players.
Manchester United have failed to mount a serious title challenge since Sir Alex Ferguson departed and currently find themselves in sixth place, eleven points adrift of their local rivals.
As with any derby between these two teams, it’s difficult to predict the outcome but when you look at the gulf in class between the two sides in recent seasons it’s impossible to deny there has been a significant power-shift in the City of Manchester.