Pep & Jose Chronicles, Ch. 6: Young Man United and Man City Fans Have Their Say

For the latest edition of Andy Mitten's Pep & Jose Chronicles, our writer sat down with four young Manchester United and City fans. In the red corner we find Eddie, 10, and Roman, 13. And for the Blues, step forward Braydon, eight, and Kieran, 13. All are regular match-goers based in Manchester.

Andy Mitten: Describe your season so far?

Braydon (blue): It has been all right for City. We won our games at the start of the season. We've been doing really good, but it has been difficult since Ilkay Gundogan was injured. I still think City are in the title race.

Roman (red): United are in a hard situation because we're sixth, but we'll be able to pull it back. If we get top four then I'll be happy, but I don't think we're in contention for the title. But if we win the League Cup and the FA Cup I'll be happy. The cups are important to me, and we're the [FA Cup] holders.

Kieran (blue): I feel like City started the season really well, but it has dropped off. We do it every season in the middle when we drop too many points. We've dropped too many this season to win the league. We just need to hope for top two or three to get in the Champions League, then improve and win the league next year.

Eddie (red): We started this season lacking because the new players we signed took time to fit into the team, but I think United have got a lot better. The football is better than last season, but we can't break the barrier of sixth place. We need to do that very soon if we're to finish in the top four.

Andy Mitten

AM: Why do you support your team?

Braydon: Most people have red blood when they are born, but I was born with blue blood. I have a blue heart, and I've always been a City fan. That will continue. Nobody told me to support City. It was a feeling I had. It's my love, and I remember seeing [Sergio] Aguero score the goal which won the league. I was three and I wasn't at the game, but you can't blame me for my dad not taking me.

Roman: My family are all reds except for my uncle. I've always been a red and felt that the atmosphere at Old Trafford was special from the first game I went to.

Kieran: My dad supports City, so that's the reason. Thank God he was a blue because if he wasn't I would be a United fan, which wouldn't be too great. He told me that I wasn't allowed to support United.

Eddie: Ever since I can remember, everyone in my family has been a United fan. I've grown up with United all around me and I love it. It's a great feeling being among the fans singing songs.

AM: What's the greatest game you've ever seen?

Braydon: Easy. When we beat United 6-1.

Roman: The FA Cup final against Crystal Palace last season. We were on the front row behind the goals and got on Match of the Day. When [Jesse] Lingard got the winner, it was amazing. Crystal Palace were great fans, but when we equalised I knew it would be our day.

Kieran: The 3-2 win against QPR when Aguero scored in the 93rd minute for us to win the league. It was so unexpected we would be behind at any point in the game. The stadium went absolutely mental when the goal went in. It was a game and a moment that I'll never forget. I can always say that I was at the game. I'm sure it will be the best football game that I ever go to.

Eddie: The semi-final of the [2016] FA Cup at Wembley last season. Apart from the atmosphere, it was an even game. We'd attack, but then Everton would. When [Anthony] Martial scored, he ran straight to where we were near the front. I was screaming; it was wonderful.

Andy Mitten

AM: What was your lowest moment as a fan?

Braydon: The worst game in the world was when I went to Everton this season. It was absolutely dreadful. I don't want to even talk about it, but I suppose you'll make me. We lost 4-0, and all the Everton fans were singing, "Who are ya?" I shouted, "We're City!"

Roman: Losing 1-0 against West Brom two years ago when Louis van Gaal was manager. We dominated and really needed to win to get in the top four. We did manage it, but it was the third defeat in a row and really sloppy.

Kieran: I can't think of a City game where I've not enjoyed it. No matter if City win or lose, you should always enjoy going to watch them. We've had big games where we've lost, but there's never been a game which I've not enjoyed, even those FA Cup games where Wigan beat us.

Eddie: Losing 6-1 against City. I can't remember what happened, and I don't want to remember. That was not a nice day. I'm glad it is not in my memory.

AM: Is there a player at United or City that you'd like to see at your club?

Braydon: No, not really. The goalkeeper [David De Gea] is about the best player on the team—not that I like him.

Roman: It's killing me saying this, but if we had to have one City player at United, then it would be De Bruyne.

Kieran: If we're having to pay £90 million for [Paul] Pogba or get Ibra [Zlatan Ibrahimovic] for free, I'd probably say Ibra. If we had to pay the same price, I'd say Pogba and then stick him on our bench. Why would we want players from a team that have been sixth in the league for most of the season?

Eddie: Aguero or De Bruyne, but I don't like Aguero's style of play, so it would be De Bruyne. He's more of a team player; he'd set up opportunities like he did at Old Trafford in the derby.

AM: Who is your favourite player?

Braydon: They're all brilliant! Some are playing better than others, but I have faith in Claudio Bravo. I've met Aguero. He's a nice lad. I said, "Hi, how are you?" He replied, "Good, good, good." I asked him something in Argentinian, to see if he wanted a kick about. He said that he didn't have time.

Roman: Zlatan, no doubt about it. He's brought so much flair to the team. He dominates defences.

Kieran: Zabba. I love [Pablo] Zabaleta, but I feel that our best player this year has been [Leroy] Sane. He brings the games to life.

Eddie: I'd also say Ibrahimovic. He's got good composure and scores good goals. He's a good all-round team player. He'll let his teammates get goals; he won't just hog them for himself.

Andy Mitten

AM: What do you think of your manager?

Braydon: Pep is an amazing manager, the best in the world and he's here for our future. [Manuel] Pellegrini took us to the semi-final of the Champions League, but Pep will take us another step forward, and I think we'll win the Champions League with him.

I've met Pep in a taxi in Manchester when he arrived at City. He's a very nice man, and he said that he wasn't very good at English and that I needed to teach him.

Roman: Jose has had so much experience in all the big leagues except for the French. I like him. He's won cups everywhere, and he gets great players. He brought Zlatan and Pogba to the club. I like his tactics and the style that we play. It's better than the last manager.

Kieran: Guardiola has already established himself as one of the greatest managers in the world, but this is his first season in England. He's got to adapt to the football here, but I feel that he can take us to places that we've not been before, like the Champions League final. Players want to play for him; he has that effect.

Eddie: Mourinho is a good manager, and I like that he gives young players a chance in FA Cup games. He makes difficult decisions and rests players, but he does that so the team can be better.

AM: What do you think of your rival's manager?

Braydon: Jose's all right. United have been doing better, but I don't think United are as good as City, and I don't think Jose is as good as Pep.

Roman: Pep has had such good experience at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. When City lose a game, he becomes quite arrogant, whereas Jose is quite straightforward.

Kieran: Jose is a bit full of himself and thinks he's better than he is. He's not a bad manager, but he's not as good as people make out. United are sixth and not advancing anywhere. I don't think Jose is straightforward like Roman [Abramovich] says, either. He's bad tempered and always annoyed.

Eddie: Guardiola is a good manager whose teams do play well, but he's a bit arrogant. He never looks happy, even when City win. He doesn't look like he enjoys City winning or losing; he doesn't have fun.

AM: You four are lucky because you live in Manchester and can get to games. What would you tell people about Manchester who live further afield and can't get to games like you can?

Braydon: It's a very nice place to be. The people are really nice. City are very good, and they cheer the town up. Even the United fans are nice to me, but they wind me up when we lose.

Roman: It's a vibrant city, and there's a lot going on. You can go 10-pin bowling.

Kieran: I'd say not to get your hopes up. It's a pretty average city apart from the football. You have the town centre but not much more.

Eddie: Manchester is a good place to live. It's busy but not crowded like London. It has United and City and loads of other teams. Football is really important here.

AM: Which player would you most like to see sign for your club?

Braydon: We need a defender, so maybe [Javier] Mascherano or [Gerard] Pique from Barcelona. Or Mats Hummels. We're a little bit [weak] in our defence, and we need a player who can tackle.

Roman: Gareth Bale. He's young, he's quick, he's used to living in England, and he's had good experience in the Premier League.

Kieran: Joe Hart. I want him back. I loved Joe Hart and I miss him. His replacement hasn't been as fantastic as he was meant to be.

Eddie: [Antoine] Griezmann. He'd work well with Ibra. They'd both score, and United need another goalscorer—not just Ibra.

Andy Mitten

AM: Which player has most disappointed this season?

Braydon: None. I'd like to see Raheem Sterling score more goals, though.

Roman: Anthony Martial proved himself last year and scored against Liverpool on his debut, but he's not played so much this year. I think he needs to play more games and play well.

Kieran: Claudio Bravo. When we had Joe Hart in net, I wasn't worried when the other team went through one-on-one. I'm less sure with Bravo. They say that he can pass the ball from the floor, but he panics and loses the ball. He shouldn't have got sent off in Barcelona earlier in the season, either.

Eddie: I'd say Paul Pogba. Even though he's a good player, but given how much we paid for him and how well he played for Juventus where he scored more goals, I thought he'd be better. I thought he'd be amazing, but he hasn't been so far.

AM: What's your favourite song?

Braydon: "We love you City, we do!" That's how I feel about City, an amazing team. "Oh City we love you!"

Roman: "U-N-I-T-E-D, United are the team for me," is my favourite. And the one about Georgie Best. ("Go on the piss with Georgie Best.") It relates back to our history and how good he was.

Kieran: The one about beating United 6-1 where we say, "It should have been 10." That reminds me of a great day, and when we sing it on derby day at United fans and see their reaction, it's just class.

Eddie: The Ibrahimovic one. I change all the words because I'm only 10, but I like the momentum of the song, and I think the whole point of the song is right. He also deserves a decent song.

AM: How do feel on the morning of a derby day?

Braydon: Very excited. And not one bit scared. I know that as soon as I wake up that City are going to win. If I think that we're going to lose, then I don't wake up.

Roman: Stress. I can't get my head around what a great day it is when we win. I remember the last derby [in the League Cup]. I was looking forward to it all day at school and confident that United would win. And we did.

Keiran: Confident. I feel that if City put out our strongest team then we'll walk them off the pitch like we normally do on derby day. We battered United in the league at Old Trafford this year. When we went back there in the cup, it was still close, despite us putting a weaker team out.

Eddie: I have several emotions. I'm happy, confident and excited, but I'm also nervous that United won't win. I hope that it will be a good game and a fair game.

AM: Where will both teams finish this season?

Braydon: United will finish sixth. They're always sixth, aren't they? City will finish first or second. Chelsea have still got to play some hard games; they've played the easy ones.

Roman: We've had our ups and downs this season. I'd say fourth. We've been on a long unbeaten run. We just need the teams above us to start losing, because while United may be drawing games, they're not losing. Liverpool and Arsenal have both started losing, so that is positive for United.

City? Third. But I should also mention United in the cups. I fancy United to win two cup trophies this season. Southampton will be tough in the EFL final, but United want to defend the FA Cup. I like the idea of a United vs. City FA Cup final.

Keiran: City to finish second and United to be 17th and just avoid relegation. I also think that City will reach the final of the Champions League. I'm feeling confident about City in Europe.

Eddie: City to finish fifth and miss out on a Champions League place. I can't see City doing well in the FA Cup, either. Or in the Champions League. They looked scared in the semi-final last season against Real Madrid.

United? Fourth, win the EFL and the FA Cup. That would be a good first season for Jose Mourinho.

Andy Mitten's Pep & Jose chronicles is a nine-part series focused on the 2016-17 seasons of Guardiola and Mourinho in Manchester. Go back and read chapters ONE / TWO / THREE / FOUR / FIVE. Follow Andy on Twitter: @AndyMitten