Amorim must envy Pep his riches as 'crisis' clubs clash

This is a crisis no epidemiologist could have foreseen. Manchester United's ailments are well-publicised, with their failures having gone on for some time. For Manchester City to go on an even worse run almost doesn't seem real.

- PETE HALL

Football in Manchester is in crisis ahead of the first league meeting this season between its behemoth clubs tomorrow.

Despite what each will tell you, both will be eyeing victory by capitalising on the dizzying decline the other is experiencing ahead of a season-defining festive period.

The only difference between Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim is one has an exit strategy that is quickly executable and the other, through no fault of his own, is going to have to get his hands rather dirty to bring about any lasting change.

The stats make for simply remarkable reading. Going into Sunday’s encounter, City have the lowest points total after 15 league games under Guardiola and lowest since 2010-11, while United, never afraid to trump any of their rivals’ failings, have slumped to their lowest points total after 15 games in their Premier League history and fewest at this juncture in 38 years.

Despite what each will tell you, both will be eyeing victory by capitalising on the dizzying decline the other is experiencing ahead of a season-defining festive period.

The only difference between Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim is one has an exit strategy that is quickly executable and the other, through no fault of his own, is going to have to get his hands rather dirty to bring about any lasting change.