It was close run in the league, the margins were tiny, in the end a fluked streaky long range toe poke from Vincent Kompany - cannot recall him ever attempting a shot before - and a last-ditch goal line clearance by John Stones against Liverpool (their solitary defeat), made the crucial difference.
But any team who can bring the likes of Aguerro, De Bruyne & Sane off the bench are always likely to have more quality - and funds - than their opponents...!
It's all relative but save three results stand out.
The Champions League loss to Spurs
Their narrow narrow win over Liverpool in the League game
Their comeback against Swansea in the FA Cup
If - for example - the game against Liverpool had ended in a draw then many would suggest that one league title in three years wasn't good enough for a manager widely considered the best at the club with the deepest pockets and the previous incumbents at the club have been sacked for less
But they are an exceptional side with plenty of heart and ability. But is their success greater than that of Bournemouth, Wolves, Watford, Sheffield United, Bury for example?
But they are an exceptional side with plenty of heart and ability. But is their success greater than that of Bournemouth, Wolves, Watford, Sheffield United, Bury for example?
Very valid point, it is about what you achieve with the resources - talent & funds - at your disposal. Leeds had both but lacked that crucial element previously mentioned, "heart"... Which is why Norwich (who surprised everyone) & Sheffield United finished ahead of them.
City are more resilient than their flowing football might suggest (they are amongst the lowest in their division for making tackles).
Spurs & Newcastle were famously underfunded in comparison to their peers, but had enough spirit when it mattered.
Look no further than Notts County to see clearly that talent & funds can become a liability when not managed properly.
So seeing the highlights this morning got me thinking.
De Bruyne £55m or Pogba £89m? Kompany £8m or Phil Jones £17m? Zinchenko £1m or Shaw £22m? Sane £37m plus Jesus £27m or Lukaku £75m? Sterling £49m or Fred £47m? David Silva £23m or Herrera £23m? Fernandinho £30m or Matic £31m?
There were 32 points between them.
You have to spend cash wisely....I honestly don't think there is a single United player who would get in the City 16, let alone the starting 11.
You have to spend cash wisely....I honestly don't think there is a single United player who would get in the City 16, let alone the starting 11.
Before this season the United goalkeeper would have been welcomed into most sides, now there are questions asked about whether he should even get into the United team...(?)
He has been amazing for them over many seasons, but when the collective malaise impacts an individual of his ability, it is time to question the entire dressing room culture...!
Interesting that City seamlessly just slot players in - Bernado, Laporte, Ederson - without any noticeable disruption, whereas the likes of Pogba & Sanchez are still struggling to assimilate, while other expensive signings are not first choice starters.
Arguably United's best players - not their most talented but the most committed - came up through their Junior ranks...? Pogba is treated with a level of suspicion by cliques within the setup for having rejected that route.
Interesting that City seamlessly just slot players in - Bernado, Laporte, Ederson - without any noticeable disruption, whereas the likes of Pogba & Sanchez are still struggling to assimilate, while other expensive signings are not first choice starters.
Arguably United's best players - not their most talented but the most committed - came up through their Junior ranks...? Pogba is treated with a level of suspicion by cliques within the setup for having rejected that route.
A point well made on the radio over the weekend. How many of the City side would get in a world eleven, and hand they ever broken the world - or even English - transfer fee record? As you say, players that slot in without any trouble and who are obviously fantastically coached and improved.
Financially, Sanchez must be the worst signing in the history of the PL.
looks like Chelsea got the best deal out of that triangular (Sanchez, Mkhitarian, Giroud) transfer circus... But none of them have been a roaring success.