Why City need a Fergie figure to scare players to success

By Terry Butcher

Published 08:00 07/08/11

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Wembley is like a second home to Manchester ­United – they’ve been there so often in recent times.

But today’s opponents ­Manchester City will ­happily recall that when they met at Wembley last season it was the Blues who emerged victorious from the FA Cup semi and went on to win their first piece of ­silverware for 35 years.

One absentee from City’s team today is the talismanic Carlos Tevez who obviously has not had a long enough holiday, poor chap.

City fans are probably thinking that Mario Balotelli could do with an extended vacation too.

Can you imagine how Old Trafford boss Sir Alex ­Ferguson would react to the antics of these two ­energy ­sappers?

In fact, City badly need someone with Fergie’s fire and ­fanaticism to be in charge, as United’s players fear their manager whereas Mancini ­appears to be a mate at City.

Comparing the recruitment policies of the rivals is interesting.

Sir Alex would have spent the Abu Dhabi fortune on better players and only possibly have taken Sergio ­Aguero and Joe Hart to Old Trafford.

Today will not be a communal love-in. It will come down to how much each ­manager wants to win.

United it is then.

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