3 Reasons Why Sir Alex Fergusson  trumped Roberto Mancini.....

Manchester United are 5 points clear of their 'noisy neighbours' after 31 rounds of the English Premier League and set to meet  their next opponents QPR a few hours before Manchester City play Arsenal FC at the Emirates. It means that the Red Devils, if they defeat QPR will be 8 points clear at the top of the league before Manchester City Vs. Arsenal game.

It definitely looks ominous for Roberto Mancini’s team but what exactly did Sir Alex do right to put Manchester United in the driving seat? I will summarize my 3 reasons why Manchester United will win the EPL before they meet Manchester City at the Etihad in round 36.

1. Roberto Mancini's attitude

Roberto Mancini: While Mr. Mancini is known to be a disciplinarian and a strict Manager, he had too many bust ups with his players more than Sir Alex has had with his players this season. The public spats with Mario Balotelli, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Edin Dzeko and the much publicized spat with star striker Carlos Teves all points to a Manager who is not willing to compromise with his players in certain situations.

Sir Alex, a tough disciplinarian has always read situations and softened his stance on many occasions while not compromising the clubs values. The Wayne Rooney incident of 2010 - 2011 Season when he defied Sir Alex and handed a transfer request because of a wage dispute is a prime example.

Roberto Mancini is too rigid and alienated a lot of players as a result in the course of the season.

2. Lethargy

Roberto Mancini's claim after the Swansea defeat that his team looked tired and jaded was not only true but it was his failure to address the issue earlier in the season that led to Manchester City losing steam at the most critical juncture (Last 10 games of the season).

Manchester United has played equal number of games compared to Manchester City but why aren’t they fatigued? This is the genius of Sir Alex Fergusson because he used his players sparingly throughout the season so that they can save their energy for the home stretch.

Below is a summary of the Key players for both teams including number of games played this season.

Man City Players	Number of Games
Sergio Aguero	41
David Silva	40
Yaya Toure	43 (including AFCON)
Samir Nasri	38
Joe Hart	40
Gareth Barry	40

Manchester United Players	Number of Games
Wayne Rooney	35
Patrice Evra	39
Nani	35
Ashley Young	27
Michael Carrick	33
Valencia	31

According to the Opta English Premier League statics, a midfield player in the EPL covers an average of 12km per game while a Centre Forward and Defenders cover 10.1km per game.

On average Manchester United’s Key players have played a combined 200 matches while their counterparts in Manchester have played 242 matches this season.  Man City have played as a collective unit 42 games more equalling to 2,783 Km’s.

Is it a wonder then that Manchester City are faltering to the finishing line?

3. Tactics

Roberto Mancini is probably the only manager in the EPL who has used only one formation in the entire season so far. The deadly 4-2-3-1 formation was used to overwhelming effect earlier in the season but 8 months down the road, most of the other premier league managers conjured up ways to contain City’s ‘galacticos’. Why Mancini never used varying tactics depending on the opposition is shocking considering the talent in his squad of players.

Coaches and defenders found ways of containing Nasri and Silva because they never cross from the flanks but drift into the middle looking for a defence splitting pass hence City’s struggles in front of goal lately.

Thumbs up to Sir Alex for winning Manchester United’s 20^th league title through his sheer genius.