Why Manchester United HAD to win the Manchester Derby despite the title being over

Manchester United may have lost the title to their noisy neighbours Manchester City but I think it was vital that they won the Manchester Derby. Especially if they want to mount a more competitive challenge for the title next season.

Manchester City have been terrific this season. Whoever wins the league deserves too and City will be crowned champions sooner rather than later. As Jose Mourinho said in his interview after the derby last Saturday, they have been on another level.

So why does it matter that Manchester United spoiled City’s celebration party on Saturday? United came from two goals down to defeat City 3-2, but the title will still be going to the blue side of Manchester, so why is the victory important?

Why is the victory so important?

Firstly, so Manchester City will never be able to say they won the league against their bitter rivals United. But more importantly than that, it shows the level Manchester City are on, isn’t that high above Manchester United.

If Jose Mourinho’s men can go toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team, it demonstrates that the two Manchester clubs aren’t far away. And that had Manchester United performed consistently over a whole season like City had, they would have been challenging for another Premier League crown.

Pep Guardiola has a style of play which he believes in. He was able to put this across to his players and found consistency through the season. That’s what separates the two sides. Consistency.

Therefore, Jose Mourinho does not have to go out in the summer and spend a fortune. He does not have to clear out all the so-called ‘deadwood’. He does not need to start from the bottom and rebuild. What he does need to do, is find a way, with a couple of additions, to make this team perform consistently with an identifiable style of play.

If Manchester United and Manchester City played each other every week. You would give City a 60/40 split in terms of how many games they would win. However, their superiority in the league table this season suggests they are miles clear. And that is why Saturday’s result was so important for United going forward.

It proves that it’s the games against the lesser sides where United have slipped up and City have been ruthless like champions have been in the past, that separate the two sides.

Jose Mourinho does not need to work wonders with this Manchester United side. But he needs to have a settled team that has an identity. One that can put up a fight against Manchester City next season for the title.

What does this mean for next season psychologically?

Mourinho can run with this result too. The confidence it will give the players knowing they are capable of toppling the champions. Knowing City had stormed the league by 19 points, whilst putting their arch-rivals to the sword too, could have been demoralising for all at Manchester United.

In one 90 minutes, a whole season could have been written. Had Manchester City defeated Manchester United, winning the Premier League title, it would have felt like a final knockout blow. A vision of Manchester City domination for years to come, making it back to back Premier League crowns. Although, with the Red Devils claiming a comeback victory, it gives them a glimmer of hope that next season they will be back on their feet and ready to deliver a knockout punch of their own.

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