Manchester derby is more than just a title decider

New managers of both Utd and City battle for acceptance from their fans – a win in the derby will go a long way towards achieving that.

If the last two seasons are an indication, this afternoon’s Manchester Derby will have a significant effect on the outcome of the Premier League title.

In April, 2012, City won 1-0. It edged them ahead of United on goal difference. With just two games remaining, any other result would have almost certainly seen United claim the crown.

Last season, this fixture was in November. United were top, three points ahead. Victory would have put City in front on goal difference.

United won and were never caught, even though City later won at Old Trafford.

The campaign is obviously younger this time, but it’s impossible to overstate this game’s magnitude.

Others in Glasgow, Liverpool, Milan or Madrid may be more passionate. But right now they don’t settle titles.

This one does. Rule in Manchester and you rule in England. It has become the most important derby in world football.

By tomorrow morning, assuming there’s a winner and a loser, newcomers David Moyes and Manuel Pellegrini will have been taught another lesson about managing in Manchester.

Moyes experienced almost 30 Merseyside derbies, but usually only local bragging rights were at stake.

Pellegrini faced two Madrid derbies at Real, but they were hardly title deciders as his team finished 49 points ahead of Atletico.

So, even though he was 60 this week, this is all new to him.

Roberto Mancini loved going up against Sir Alex Ferguson. That 6-1 win at Old Trafford enshrines the Italian in City folklore forever.

Fergie won the majority of his jousts with “the noisy neighbours” but he found Mancini a real handful.

Today the new boys start their rivalry from scratch and you get the feeling both would be extremely happy not to lose.

Moyes brought baggage with him from Everton no trophies, no Champions League experience, no victories at any of the traditional Big Four.

He inherited the Wayne Rooney hot potato and an inexperienced Chief Executive in Ed Woodward, which led to transfer-window red faces.

But he’s beginning to look like he’s negotiating the minefield, and he doesn’t need one blowing up in his face today.

Pellegrini got his transfer business done early and everyone expected that this urbane coach, with a history of producing exciting teams, was the man to exploit Fergie’s retirement.

But there’s no evidence yet that City are any better than they were under Mancini.

The jury’s still out for both.

Today, one can win early adulation, the other take a big step backwards in his battle for acceptance.

So maybe it’s more than merely a title decider!