Mancini Speaks Out

Today, people who are still interested in this year's English Premier League can watch Manchester United - Manchester City.

This match is certainly not a big thing, however, because even if City ridiculed United today they would still be twelve points behind Ferguson's team. And the title would still be virtually decided.

So, this fixture will certainly be somewhat boring and unexciting, no matter what the outcome.

But what's interesting on this day is what City's Roberto Mancini said, prior to the game.

He said too many teams roll over for United.
Good! Somebody from an important position sees it, too, and is talking about it.

Teams lose too easily to Manchester United. Yeah! That's exactly what I've been saying.

Mancini, though, going into more details about his affirmation, said he thinks most teams are just afraid of Alex Ferguson's United.

I believe, however, that Ferguson and his people succeeded, not only in creating fear of his team, but basically a system whereby United gets the wins it needs no matter what the means. Most likely, intimidation and money are involved, outside of the strict legalities of the Man. U. footballing payroll.

And I'm quite sure Ferguson is a master at these kind of things. Because he's certainly not a master when it comes to actual coaching, and how could a so-so coach have stayed where Ferguson is for so long?

Really, one has to look at United's record in the other competitions, the ones United was not expected to win (or did not desperately need to win) this year, to see that there's something weird about their performance in the league.

They have 25 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses, from 30 matches, in the EPL. That's the kind of record that teams like Barcelona get. (But Barcelona has roughly the same record in all competitions in which they take part, not just the one.)
However, United's records in the Champions League and the FA Cup are: 4 wins 1 draw and 3 losses, and 3 wins 2 draws and 1 loss, respectively.

How come a team that wins only about half of their fair matches, against honest opponents, and no more, can pull off five times more wins than draws or losses in the PL?
I say the fix is in. Quite often.

If Manchester United was to play opponents they found out about just 2 weeks to 2 months prior, like they do in the elimination competitions, would they win trophies anymore?

So, I believe Mancini is not far from the truth, indeed, but his is still a naive view. Either that, or he knows he can't say more, so has to do with exposing the bare minimum.