As a Man City fan who first went to Maine Road in 1975, I definitely give the Blades a chance. If pushed, I'd still back City to win (and voted for that option in the Blue Moon poll that's been discussed on here), but it's not a foregone conclusion by any means.
As everyone knows, this match for us falls between vital midweek fixtures away to Bayern and then at home to Arsenal. There looked to be clear fatigue among the players in the last fifteen minutes in Munich on Wednesday and, while Guardiola's team selections are notoriously hard to predict, it seems inconceivable that he won't make several changes. And the thing is that City's quality in depth isn't all it's cracked up to be.
This season, Pep has fielded 22 players in total in Premier League games, fewer than any other team in the competition, but he's trusted only 18 players to start games. One of that core group of 18 was sent out on loan in January and not replaced, while another is an 18-year-old kid who didn't have a senior appearance before this season. So basically, there's an excellent first 16 plus a very competent back-up 'keeper. (This endorsement is probably the kiss of death for him - watch him throw a couple in his own net now!). Unfortunately for us, when we get beyond that, the drop-off is immense.
For instance, Kalvin Phillips, who may well play today and who I thought would be a good acquisition for us, has been a disaster so far. Cole Palmer, a young prospect who was expected to blossom in this campaign, doesn't seem to have made the progress hoped for. Sergio Gomez, a cut-price young full-back from Anderlecht on whom we took a punt so far hasn't looked good enough for what we need. When those three came on against Leicester with around 25 minutes left last week, a comfortable 3-0 lead that looked quite feasible for us to extend turned into a slightly nervy 3-1 win in which our opponents were rather unlucky not to score more.
So if these guys start today, I'll very much have it in mind that the Blades can get at City. And if they don't start but are brought on to replace tired players whose fatigue has meant they haven't imposed themselves on the game to the degree that City would have liked, it will mean you have a realistic hope of getting back into the game if we're talking about a narrow City lead, of taking control if things are level, or of holding on if you're already in front.
Of course, it may not pan out like that. City are a top side and may just have a bit too much. But the Blades definitely have more than an outside chance at the very least. Anyway, whatever happens, I look forward to seeing you go on and clinch promotion and then to two league fixtures next season.
