Manchester United and Manchester City are entering one of the most highly anticipated city derbies in years, but the build up has not been on the match, because of childish antics of a not-so professional player.
The Manchester derby has been a bit of a joke over the past few years, because City has not been on any of the same levels as United in terms of marketability and quality of the side, but that has all been brushed-aside by what happened during in last weekend's match against Arsenal.
Emmanuel Adebayor, who played for Arsenal for four seasons, showed his true colors with what should be two major charges handed down by the Football Association (the governing body of the English Premier League).
The first charge will be for his stomp on his former teammate Robin van Persie's face. Yes, stomp and there was intent - he looked right at him and made sure he made contact with him!
Adebayor has been on form this season, and that continued as he grabbed a goal against his former employers, but what followed was despicable. He raced the length of the pitch and slid on his knees celebrating in front of the visiting Arsenal supporters.
Feel
Manchester United has competed for some of the world's biggest honors for a football club, so they have not put special emphasis on the Manchester derby, but that looks to change because of the influx of money now at the Eastlands’ club.
Often teetering back and forth between the top flight and the second tier of English football, City has treated the derby as a cup final. They have not won a trophy in the top flight of English football since 1976 (they won the Football League First Division in 2001/02 season).
Since 1976, Manchester United has won an astonishing 38 trophies.
War
Former Manchester United player Carlos Tevez joined Mark Hughes' Eastland Revolution, and it has sparked a war of words between the Argentinean and Sir Alex.
Following Tevez's arrival to City Sir Alex has referred to them as a "small club with a small mentality." Tevez, who was once adored by all United supporters, has been critical of the gaffers' tactics and decisions.
The former United fan-favorite is a doubt for the match with a knee injury, but it is almost certain that he - and City - will do whatever is humanly possible to play in the derby.
Who
With all the money that Manchester City has spent over the past three transfer windows, which has included stars like Robinho, Adebayor, Carlos Tevez, Joleon Lescott, but the player that is making the biggest impact this season for them is Gareth Barry. The former Villa man provides the balance that a team like City who is is loaded with forwards.
Steven Ireland is another player that has had a good start to season for the Citizens. Ireland, who was City's player of the year last season, has relished combing and playing off the forwards this season. Hughes has said that he will eventually be the captain of City.
Treatment
Out: E. van der Sar, Rafael, G. Obertan, O. Hargreaves; Doubtful: R. Ferdinand
Projected
B. Foster; J. O'Shea, R. Ferdinand, N. Vidic, P. Evra; A. Valencia, D. Fletcher, M. Carrick, R. Giggs; D. Berbatov, W. Rooney
Prediction
Manchester United 3, Manchester City 2
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