Since Ferguson left Manchester United in 2013, Manchester has "changed color" and City's sky blue has replaced the Red Devils as the city's main color of football. Moreover, United can't laugh at their opponents for burning money to succeed because the two clubs spend similar amounts.
In the nine years since Histon's retirement, City have spent £1.25 billion, while United are just 50 million pounds behind with £1.2 billion. But the gap between the two sides is no longer on the same level, and this season Manchester City has doubled Manchester United in two legs, with a net win of 5 goals.
In the post-Verde era, City have won four Premier League titles and may win for the fifth time this season, while United's best record is two league runners-up. The season average of the two teams since 2013/14 speaks for themselves, with Manchester City having 84 points and Manchester United having just 69.
City led 11-3 in all competitions, with six League Cups and six FA Cups in addition to four Premier League wins. In contrast, United have won only three trophies, namely Louis van Gaal's FA Cup and Mourinho's League Cup and Europa League Cup, but the last time they won the title was in 2017.
After his retirement, City won a Place in the Champions League every season, while Manchester United missed four times. Moreover, Manchester United, which is known as "long-term development", even changes managers more frequently than their city rivals.
Since 2013, City have had only two managers, including Pellegrini and Guardiola, while United have had three managers this season, with four full managers (Moyes, Van Gaal, Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer) and three interim managers (Giggs, Carrick, Lonnick) in the past nine years.
At the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, the 80-year-old sir watched with former Manchester United president David Gill and new president Richard Arnold. Witnessing the team's defeat, Furjue's face was full of disappointment. Not only that, but when he left the stadium, he was also humiliated by Manchester City fans.
As a legendary manager and loyal supporter of Manchester United, Furjue has never had a good feeling for Manchester City, and in the past, when he watched the ball in Etihad, he even asked for the City emblem on the seat to be covered with a white cloth.
At that time, Furjue referred to the rising Manchester City as a "noisy neighbour" and was not optimistic that they would rise. Now, City fans outside the stadium are mocking him with a 2009 speech by Ferguson: "Never in my lifetime!" Manchester City, Manchester City, Manchester City!"
The phrase appeared at United's pre-match press conference that year, when he was asked if United were under-favoured against Manchester City, and the old man replied: "When? I think by then I'll be gone... It certainly won't happen in my lifetime. Manchester City don't have anything to worry about, I just care about who wins the league title, they can only compete for the top four and we only aim for first place. Historically, Liverpool have been our derby rivals. My goal is always to overwhelm them, and it's a thought that can't be changed."
Unexpectedly, now Manchester United can only compete for the top four, and Manchester City has become the number one favorite to win the title. So there was also a huge banner behind the Etihad goal that read "Not in my lifetime". In this regard, Fu Jue had nothing to say, he could only ignore the words of the fans and continue to move forward. Many fans have suggested that the elderly should stop watching Manchester United games so as not to affect their bodies. There is no doubt that today's Manchester United team is disappointing, not only for Fu Jue, but also for fans to mourn more than to die.