The Biggest Manchester Derby in Three Decades?

It has been some months since I have written a piece for BR. 

I have been busy with other things and even though there has been plenty I have had to say, I put all things Bleacher to the back of my mind.

But then a number of things happened to bring an almost perfect storm of footballing stats and punditry into being.

First, Mark Hughes has moved on. He’s been replaced by the much more charismatic and talented Roberto Mancini.

As part of the changes that have followed, Manchester City has stopped leaking goals, something very much unexpected.

And during the Mancini renaissance, United have continued to struggle for form. They have been beaten by Fulham by three goals as well!

This Sunday brought an even bigger shock in the form of a defeat to Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup.

This wasn't something anyone foresaw as United have never gone out at the third round stage under Fergie.

Wow is the most appropriate word to be used in mixed company.

But add these little nuggets of uniqueness and it gets even better.

Manchester City has reached the Semi-Final of a cup competition for the first time since 1981, yikes!

Manchester United is their opponents, double yikes!

Carlos Tevez (Ex-Man U') has hit goal-scoring form, scoring eight times in the last eight matches, triple yikes!

So we are in for a cracking evening of football in every sense.

As a Manchester City fan, I know, let me repeat, know that City will win the first leg and I fully expect that City will grace the final at Wembley come Feb. 28.

If you disagree, please feel free to comment, but let me say one more thing: la, la, la, I'm not listening!