Trans-Atlantic Debate Part 2: United or City?

Published: 23^rd Mar 12 8:42 am

by Eric Imhof
Soccer Blogger

RANT It!

Trans-Atlantic Debate Part 2: United or City?

With the English Premier League rapidly coming to a close, we thought it would be worthwhile (and timely) to debate the benefits and drawbacks of having either team from Manchester take the title. This week in our trans-Atlantic debate series, we ask the question: From an overall fan perspective of the English Premier League, in terms of entertainment, longevity, and relevance, would it be better for United or City to win the title this year?

Eric Imhof: I hate to say this, but the answer is United.

Yes, I can’t even believe I just typed that. But the harsh reality is that despite winning last year, and despite the incessant whining, and even despite Wayne Rooney, it would be better from a fan’s perspective, generally speaking, to have United take the title this year. They’ve given City an entertaining title chase, and by playing relentlessly hard all season, even though being down late in several games, they’ve finally overtaken the money-pit juggernaut that is their local rivals.

That’s a good thing because unlike Mancini’s side, Fergie’s has succeeded because of shrewd maneuvering, a determined spirit, and some luck—which I have to say has been fun to watch on occasion. And somehow, despite being a perennial favorite (annoyingly, to many), City has spent so lavishly on mercenary hires that the Red Devils actually almost (almost) come off as endearing. Almost.

Furthermore, the success of Chicharito has not gone unnoticed. Here in Austin, he is easily the most recognizable (and name-able) player in the Premier League, especially among the middle-school youth I work with in after-school programs. In fact, many of my kids list United above the Mexican national team as their favorite squad. That has to be good for a league trying to make a race between two very unlikable teams somewhat like-able to an American audience.

Alan Dymock: I see a Blue Moon a-risin’

In terms of sports media there are many hoping that Manchester City do the business and win the EPL title.

The industry is one that craves new fads to market. City make a great story because they snuggly fit the description of ‘Challenger’. They are local to the old powerhouse at Old Trafford, they are competitive and they play some quick-fire soccer when the air is right. If they were to win the title then the neutral would see this happening because of gorgeous play from David Silva and Samir Nasri, powerful work from Yaya Toure and, it must be said, they would also have their senses overloaded by the work of Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero.

Man City seem more fun. Man United look good on the counter, but we see that involving Valencia, Nani, Young, Rooney and Chicharito. Take them out and they are slightly dull. With City, though, they have a smorgasbord of talents. Which striker would score a winner in a big game? Every game is different.

There may not be sustainability in the Man City model and English soccer as a whole may not benefit from their rise, but they are unpredictable and they herald change. Anyway, ask fans of Liverpool, Arsenal, Blackburn and Newcastle who they want to win the title. I suspect they would like United to loosen their grip on the trophy, and any other winner would do…

Rebuttal: Eric Imhof

I see what you’re saying about the value of crowning a new king this year, but City is not going to win over many new fans even if they take the trophy, and besides, having the EPL’s equivalent of the New York Yankees win the title is going to feel like the ending of Animal Farm: meet the new boss, same as the old boss. Furthermore, since their spending model is quite unsustainable, and they don’t have the storied history that come of the other clubs in the top third have, an EPL title will only be a blip on the radar for City, albeit a nice blip for Noel Gallagher.

If United wins again, it’ll not only lay the challenge down to other teams to improve their play, but it’ll show that spending sprees don’t equal trophies—and that alone would be worth it for the league’s fans.

Rebuttal: Alan Dymock

I would say that it is a bit unfair to say that City do not have a storied history. In my lifetime I have seen City in the doldrums and I have seen them suffer in lower divisions. I remember when they were an endearing minnow with characters like Paul Dickov, Paulo Wanchope, Shaun Goater, Trevor Sinclair and Claudio Reyna. They should surely be allowed a fleeting moment at the top, like Chelsea did, right?

Anyway, the EPL is a monster that grows and grows with finances unable to keep up with it. Politically it would be fitting to have a signifier of this, the Citizens, being crowned Champions? On top of this, it was proved by Chelsea that spending sprees do, eventually, equal trophies. City already have an FA Cup. They may not win the title this year, but they are getting better year on year. They will win a title. It is inevitable.

We can be idealists about this, but minnows with meager budgets and players with lower league histories will not win the EPL. They may win a Cup with an unexpected run, but not a league. So if that is left to the big boys let’s at least make it the new big boys?