It's maddening. I know this place is a black hole of negativity at the best of times, but seeing the narrative picked up by so many high profile commentators is infuriating. If they'd actually won a treble, or 3 back to back titles, or had any such genuine tangible success, then fair cop, but having to endure this incessant hagiography over half a seasons worth of good football is tiresome as feck.
This is a baffling statement. Even since their takeover (which is all of 9 years ago) we've beaten them in virtually every big transfer battle, from Berba to RVP. We're Man Utd. One of the biggest and most fashionable names in the biggest and most fashionable sport. We've been mentioned in The Simpsons FFS...and even Buffy The fecking Vampire Slayer! The majority of the footballing world didn't even know there was another team in Manchester 10 years ago. And even since City's emergence, in our apparently disastrous post-Fergie crisis period, we've still technically won more trophies than them. So in what bonkers Bizarro universe should beating them to a transfer be considered an achievement? I get why City are a much more attractive proposition than they used to be, but I must have missed the part where we went from an elite global powerhouse to an Aston Villa/Notts Forrest-esque has been. When did that happen? Because judging by a lot of fan attitudes it must have done.
I think you ignore the impact of momentum. Since Pep City have outspent us and ensured there is no weak positions in their team. Forget the performances that injection of cash alone is a threat. It shows a team with serious intent and that excites potential player acquisitions. Add their performances and all the momentum was with City.
If you don’t ride the momentum or set up to get ahead of it you can be left behind. Look at Liverpool and Arsenal.
Timing in football in terms of investment is vital. Barcelona are doing it at the moment. They have realised the risk of losing their top dogs status and are throwing in huge money.
Yes some of what you are saying is also true that they haven’t won yet with Peps team, but that’s a naive view and ignores that this is a City team already full of various winners, many at City. They have a great blend of youth and experience.
The Premiership looks certain to head their way this year.
So yes United getting one of he few elite game changing players and nipping in ahead of City is huge.
Add this to the fact financial fair play is looking dead and it’s a big statement. It shows that there is some control to City’s spend and they won’t provide a constant blank cheque.
And on the flip side it shows United are not happy with second best and will make sure of that, just as we did with Lukaku.