It appears that Manchester City's title defence could be nearly over even if it is a long way from being mathematically impossible. Even the most optimistic City fans who kept the belief during City's remarkable late run-in to their first title in years last season are probably writing this season off with their expensively assembled team set to be 12 points behind their bitter cross town rivals should United win at home to Everton.
To be fair, City were always going to find it hard to replicate the emotion and form that saw them end their long title drought in dramatic fashion last year. I don't think City are a worse team than they were last year - in fact, I think they've done the right thing and kept a fairly stable team. And they are still by far the 2nd best team in the country.
However, I think it has come down to the fact that United have made significant improvements this season and the signings they've made have made the biggest impact that we've seen at Old Trafford since even possibly the signing of Eric Cantona from Leeds United all those years ago - I'm referring to Robin van Persie's move from Arsenal of course.
RVP plus Shinji Kagawa along with the return from injury of Javier Hernandez and the rise in form of Tom Cleverley have suddenly turned Manchester United from a one-man brigade with Wayne Rooney tirelessly pulling the strings to a pretty decent team and one that might be one of the best Fergie has assembled yet.
To be fair, there is very little between the Manchester sides. Both sides have managed to match each other result for result for much of the season until now - it's just that Man United haven't really experienced the slump Man City are experiencing and it doesn't look they will yet.
A key result in this year's title race could be that 3-2 win to United in December when the sides met at Eastlands. While it is only just one game, it is possibly one that gave United a psychological boost, winning at a ground where the home side have been so good at. Not only that, United won the advantage of being the pace-setter rather than the chaser which is what City have been lumped with now.
Finally, history has shown that in the season after they've lost the title, United have often emerged as a very hungry and determined team. Chelsea, Newcastle United and Arsenal should be very familiar with this. Fergie certainly made haste in answering the deficiencies that cost United a title even if they did finish on the same amount of points as the champions - a lack of goals from supporting strikers, and a lack of strength in midfield. It appears Fergie has answered those comfortably as he bids to establish United as the superior side in Manchester once again.
City now have to hope for a historic and monumental collapse from the other side of Manchester - but even then, I'm not sure it's going to be enough for the current champions to retain their title. In a rivalry that is all about getting an advantage from the smallest of margins, it appears seasoned United have figured out when to take the opportunities that City have missed.
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