A Pitiful Derby: Manchester City vs. Manchester United
A Lackluster Showdown
The clash of the titans we’ve all been eagerly waiting for – the 1st derby of the season between Manchester United and Manchester City. Sunday, September 22, 2013, 4:00 pm, Etihad Stadium – a date and venue etched in the hearts of football enthusiasts worldwide. The anticipation was electric. The attendance? A solid 47,156. The outcome? Well, let’s just say, pitiful is an understatement.
Manchester City – 4
- S Agüero (16′ & 47′)
- Y Touré (45+1′)
- S Nasri (50′)
Manchester United – 1
- W Rooney (87′)
The Unwanted Guest – Pitiful Performance
Manchester United’s performance was a spectacle to behold, but not in the way you’d hope. It can only be described as pitiful. It seemed like the whole team missed the memo about showing up on the pitch. Well, almost the whole team. There was one shining beacon of effort – Wayne Rooney. He was out there, trying to keep the fire alive amidst the sea of disappointment. It wasn’t just a pitiful performance from United; it was a brilliant performance from City that highlighted our inadequacies.
Missing in Action
The first clue that this wasn’t going to be our day was the absence of our dependable right-winger, Antonio Valencia. Perhaps he got lost in fairyland, but either way, he was nowhere to be found on the pitch. Ashley Young, on the other hand, seemed to have taken a vow of indifference; if he had tried any less, he’d be eligible for a trophy in apathy.
The back four’s defensive partnership resembled a leaky sieve, and City’s attackers slipped through the gaps they created like ghosts in the night. Marouane Fellaini, who may well have been the tallest player on the pitch, seemed more interested in levitation than heading the ball. Danny Welbeck, who recently showcased his class for England, suddenly seemed to have misplaced it when wearing the United jersey.
End of the Rant
Rant over… for now! The frustration from the match still lingers, but we’ll leave it behind for now. Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn, and on this day, we learned that there’s room for improvement.
A Warm Family Reunion
In the midst of the football drama, life goes on. Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dad’s cousin back to Timperley for a few days before her return to sunny California. Michele and I paid a visit on a Tuesday night to meet Terri’s husband, Rick, and to bid our farewells until the next family gathering. What’s even more exciting is that we’ve received an invitation to visit Terri and Rick in California. It’s remarkable how strong connections can form in just two short weeks. Michele and Terri, in particular, seem to have hit it off famously. However, before we embark on this Californian adventure, we’ll have to do some serious saving. Next year, we’ve already made plans to visit my cousin Julie, who resides all the way in Chicago. So, it might not be until 2016 that we get the chance to drop by California.
Life Updates
Turning our attention away from football, let’s catch up on some family news. The two youngest boys have settled back into their routines, balancing work, college, and school. Sam, Matt, and Harry seem to be doing well, even though Harry had his fair share of discomfort from injections and teething pains. As for Drew and Fran, we haven’t seen them in a while, but we’ve heard that they’re both doing well and staying busy with work.
Not too long from now, Drew and Fran are gearing up for an exciting adventure as they plan to travel to Hong Kong for a well-deserved break with Fran’s family. It’s moments like these that remind us of the importance of family and taking time to relax and explore the world.
Time Flies
As for me, I’m about to hit the ripe age of 51. It’s a remarkable milestone, and it’s hard to believe that a whole year has passed since Michele and I were jetting off to Jamaica with David, Beverley, and my cousin Julie to celebrate my 50th birthday. Time indeed flies when you’re having fun and making memories.
With my work lunch break coming to an end, I’ll wrap up this post. Until next time, folks! Keep the spirits high, and let’s hope for better days on the football pitch.
