Manchester City: Noisy Neighbors Finally Have Chance Over Man United

The noisy neighbors have always lived in the limelight of their illustrious opponents.

While Manchester United were racking up trophies in their cabinet, their north city rivals just stood afar and watched with contempt; their cabinets were full alright, but with dust and debris from being empty for such a long time.

The club sank to the lowest ebb in their history in the 1998/1999 season; they were relegated to the third tier of English Football, while Manchester United achieved their greatest ever achievement that season, parading the Treble in Manchester City’s faces. 

The dark clouds have been replaced by light blue ones, so to speak, and after two owners and 250 million pounds of investment, Manchester City finally reaches their first FA Cup semi-final appearance in 30 years to face, none other than, Manchester United.  

The Citizens now have a chance to put aside those traumatic memories and replace them with an image of a FA Cup final. 

Manchester City have more than what it takes to win this game. Recent times have seen them close the gap on their rivals to a very tiny one; Wayne Rooney’s wonderful overhead kick was the only thing separating both sides from two encounters this season. 

The team is also starting to tick.

Tevez and Dzeko are combining well and reading each other's movements like seasoned strikers, with the Bosnian already netting twice in the FA Cup. Balotelli has showed signs of maturity, amid some kiddie tantrums when being substituted; he actually looks interested in playing football and has some goals to show for it, too.

The midfielders have also started contributing with goals, taking the pressure off talisman Carlos Tevez, who hasn’t scored in six matches. Silva, Viera, Richards and Yaya Toure have found the net nine times in the last seven matches, so the Devils will not be facing a single threat in the form of the Argentinian. 

They will have to deal with the trickery of Silva, the hard-tackling Viera, the driving runs of Yaya Toure, as well as the speed and strength of overlapping fullbacks, Micah Richards and Alexander Kolarov. With Rio Ferdinand still out crocked and Chris Smalling lacking experience to handle a game of such magnitude, Manchester United could be caught cold. 

This tie takes place on April 16, a very busy month for Alex Ferguson’s men. They have to play a small matter of four games in 11 days before taking on Manchester City.

With such a demanding schedule, Alex Ferguson is certain to tinker with his line-up. He will probably field his youngsters in Wembley, as he has so often done in this Cup, with the seniors rested for the prioritized EPL and UEFA Champions League.  

It doesn't mean Tevez & Co can take things lightly—Fergie showed even after fielding seven defenders he can still destroy a full strength Arsenal side.

But City will stand a chance if it’s a young Man United side that comes out to play. They possess enough quality and experience to go face to face with their opponents and book a place in the final. 

The owners and fans have put a lot of effort, time and money to get behind this team. This is their best shot to repay the faith and finally dust off the cobwebs and replace it with the romantic, timeless FA Cup.