It has been just over 15 years since legendary Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson first described Man City as the club's "noisy neighbours," as they dealt with their up-and-coming rivals, but since then the tide has drastically changed.
Nowadays, there is no denying that the blue side of Manchester has run rampant domestically and in Europe while United have struggled with managerial and player turnover unlike any other era in the club's history. The stark divide between the two clubs has been blatant over the last decade, and it seemed to have gotten to the City players' heads during the FA Cup final of 2024.
Former Man United striker coach, Benni McCarthy was speaking at the launch of Ladbrokes’ “Gaffer of all Accas" and recalled the pre-match motivation that fired up United.
When we walked back towards the dressing room, a lot of the City players were discussing their trips to Ibiza after the game. We have a final to play, and you lot are talking about your afterparty! Almost like in terms of they had already won it, and they are preparing the celebrations for it like they're playing against no opposition.
Still bitter from last year's final which featured the same fixture - where City prevailed as 2-1 winners - and with many critics and fans having already written off United, the players had a lot to overcome, however this seemed like the last straw.
When we got into the dressing room, the players were like, ‘These lot are disrespecting us.’ So then they, amongst themselves, had a little huddle, and in the huddle they were going at it about the disrespect, you know. I think that's probably what we needed at that time. It just brought the furious side out of us.
The reaction was striking from the outset. The Red Devils' youngsters shot them into the lead with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo coming nine minutes between each other. Their passion was evident and, this time, United were 2-1 winners.
I think we, the coaching staff, weren't really that amazed because we saw what the players can do every day in training. That's the way the team can play when they want.
It is a noticeable feature of Man United's game that is sorely missing more often than not and to the frustration of many fans. The mentality of being a fiery and explosive team "when they want" rather than being consistent week in, week out has plagued the club in recent history, and it is something which is hurting them this season more than any other.
Next, an away game awaits United this Saturday as they face an Everton team that has been snapped into shape and radically changed by David Moyes. The trip to Goodison Park will be the answer to see if Ruben Amorim can have the same effect on his United team.
