One from the vaults by blogger/ wannabe writer Daniel Harris (just before the FA Cup semi v. Utd). Read the last paragraph and remember those faces at Sunderland when we beat QPR: Though City are Uniteds true enemy, theyve never monopolised focus. The pursuit of glory has always been our central aim, its success nurturing similarly toxic rivalries with Liverpool and Leeds. Weve also had more serious off-field issues to address – or at least weve taken them more seriously – making City but one of several receptacles for our disgust. They, on the other hand, have nothing else; their identity is shaped, defined and characterised in opposition to us. We look at them with dismissive haughtiness, they regard us with bitterness and jealousy, and understandably so: there are things about United its impossible for any sane person not to admire. I simply cannot begin to comprehend their burden in living with that every day. Everything they do we do better. In 1967-68, City won the title, then United became the first English European champions; they beat us 5-1 in 89-90, but we finished higher, won the Cup, and eventually clattered them 5-0; on the final day of 95-96, they wasted time in the mistaken belief that a draw kept them up, while we clinched yet another title; in 98-99, United secured the treble, overshadowed by Citys play‑off final win; their minuscule support wave inflatable bananas and toadying banners, Uniteds throngs wield sports deepest canon of songs and chants. Their response encompasses falsehood, vitriol and delusion: call it bluemonia. Examples include claiming greater Mancunian support despite all statistical, anecdotal and evidential evidence, proclaiming Bell as Better than Best, Munich chanting, and endless threats of imminent success (often immortalised in body art). Though an affront to footballs integrity, their wealth is a gift, rendering anything they win meaningless and everything they lose even more hilarious. And after some unacceptable derby efforts, the almost-competition has given Fergie and the players a necessary kick up the arse: priorities suitably recalibrated, United are dominant once again. In a way, this semi is solely about making 35 years 35 seasons, though even if we lose, chances are theyll find a way of messing up the final. But that would deny us the collage of furious, scrunched, defeated faces that is the real reward for beating City.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 09:38:15 +0000
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