Rivalries

Did anybody else quite enjoy seeing the handbags coming out after Silva went down with his hamstring injury?? I think the City players wanted the ball put out and once they managed it a few different arguments broke out with the likes of Jones, Aguero, Barry and Giggs getting involved. Also, at a couple of different points in the match tensions were running high and it threatened to escalate into handbags.

Anyway, my question is, was I the only one who was happy to see this?? I reckon what we need is the two best teams right at each other's throats, standing toe to toe and going at each other full blooded. Everything is too nicey nice these days and I reckon that not only United, but the whole Premier league needs a rivalry similar to what United and Arsenal used to have. You knew Keane and Vieira weren't exactly fond of each other and well the whole Arsenal team seemed to have an intense dislike of RVN. The papers lapped it up, Sky portrayed it as WW3 and we, the fans absolutely loved it.

I still think United will win the league this season, but it does feel like a flat victory. I honestly hope that City come back hungrier and stronger than ever next season. And yes I would like the players to respect each other as fellow professionals, but I also want them to play with anger and passion and to hate their rivals. Once in a while, I want to see a player lose his temper and do something silly. One of the best things I've ever seen was Keane going mad at Vieria in the tunnel.

At the end of the day, football is a passionate sport and I feel that some of the passion has gone. At least from the top of the table. The league needs it. Two heavyweights going toe to toe, arguments breaking out, genuine animosity and dislike between the players would go a far way to bringing this back. So I've my fingers crossed that next season sees the return of a proper nasty rivalry.