''But once your picture becomes tainted, It's what they call; The rise and fall''! - The Manchester Clubs story

In Manchester, the two teams in the top flight of the English league, Manchester United and Manchester City have had enough stories to serve us a great deal. Manchester City has been on the positive receiving note for the past ten years. 

Manchester City celebrates Champions league win

They are the only team with seven league titles to their names in the last twleve years period. Their shelves have not been empty totally in other competitions locally and even at the bigger European scene as they have also won Two English FA cups, Six league cups and One FA Community Shields within the period. They have also won One UEFA Champions league title, One UEFA Super Cup and One FIFA Club World Cup title within the twelve year period.

The Citizens have been a successful team in every regards. This they boost of with the help of a super talented Head Coach Pep Guardiola.

Pep Guardiola with his City Guards?

And on the other side is the Red devils, who in the past ten years have won two English FA cups, two FA Community Shields and UEFA Europa league title. The Manchester United decline began almost immediately after Sir Alex Ferguson stepped aside from his managerial role after a twenty seven reign. He won them major titles during his long stay at the club and serving a fulfilling career ending 2013 with David Moyes taking over the affairs of the team.

Manchester United team photo

The decline began to bring ridicule to the trail blazing team who have in time past dominated and even ''oppressed'' other teams in the league and even at the European scene. It led to several managerial changes at the club with the latest being the sacking of Eric Ten Hag as head coach in October 2024 after a winless run in both domestic and at the Europa league scene. 

Disappointed Rashford at a Manchester United game

Ruud Van Nistelrooy took over the managerial affairs in the interim managing a two game win and a draw in three games since take over. While Ruben Amorim has been named to take charge of the club after the international break. Ruben is the head coach of Sporting Lisbon, Portugal and he has had incredible run while at the club and the team is hoping that he will once again rekindle the Red devil spirit in the club.

Manchester United New Manager Ruben Amorim

Recently, Manchester City have also come under a bad run in the league and the Champions league. The City team under Pep have seen back to back defeat for the first time in a long while since Pep's take over. 

They have lost four games in a roll. Two premier league games, one EFL cup and one Champions league game. Enduring defeat from Bournemouth and Sporting in the space of a week is something that has not been heard of at the club in a very long time.

Pep talking to Brighton player after their 2 goals to 1 loss

The question every one is asking at this time is, has the big picture of this super Manchester clubs been tainted? what exactly is this decline that we are witnessing. Like Craig David and Sting sang in their song titled, Rise and fall. They opined that once your picture becomes tainted, it is what they call, the rise and fall. Is this what we are witnessing.

If the pictures of the two clubs are tainted, what is this stain?

Of course, we are not oblivious of the stories and somewhat conspiracy theories that abound in the media about the two clubs. The Manchester United team under Sir Alex was alleged to be a corrupt team that was dictating and influences match officials to win matches. Of course no truth has been established in this regard.

The WHY question is yet to be answered

While the City team has been said to be a finance influencing team because of the heavy sums that the club have spent to acquire some names within their ranks. They are also been investigated by the FA for allegation that they breached the FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY rules in the league and are rumoured to even be demoted to the lower leagues if found guilty.

Are some of these stories true? We don't know yet and might never know as some of these findings are never made public.

We hope they bounce back and give football lovers and their fans a better and entertaining football match.