Resurgent United hope Manchester derby shows rivals City have passed peak oil
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By Brian Sears 10 April 2015 Manchester City have been brilliant at times in recent seasons, thrilling to watch as they've scored at will and won two of the past three Premier League titles. But lately they've looked old, inconsistent and brittle, as well as costly in more senses than one. The defeat at Crystal Palace was a case in point. It highlighted City have the oldest squad in England's top division. Eight of the starting XI were aged 29 or older, and one of those under 29, Vincent Kompany, turns 29 today (10th April). If this XI isn't quite on its last legs then it is creaking and in need of fresh blood. Joe Hart is one of those with good years ahead at 27, turning 28 this month, while Sagna is 32, Kompany is 29 today, Demichelis 34, Clichy 29, Navas 29, Toure 31, Fernandinho 29, Silva 29, Aguero 26 and Dzeko 29. Costly? We all know City's title-winning sides have been expensively assembled. City fans are hugely grateful to Sheikh Mansour's largesse. The flip side is that when they lose to well-heeled rivals, they are open to jokes, costly jokes, at their expense. Palace's starting XI combined at less than £19m cost less than half of the price for Eliaquim Mangala alone. He sat on City's bench at Palace, his £42m
Resurgent United hope Manchester derby shows rivals City have passed peak oil
Resurgent United hope Manchester derby shows…
Resurgent United hope Manchester derby shows rivals City have passed peak oil
By Brian Sears 10 April 2015 Manchester City have been brilliant at times in recent seasons, thrilling to watch as they've scored at will and won two of the past three Premier League titles. But lately they've looked old, inconsistent and brittle, as well as costly in more senses than one. The defeat at Crystal Palace was a case in point. It highlighted City have the oldest squad in England's top division. Eight of the starting XI were aged 29 or older, and one of those under 29, Vincent Kompany, turns 29 today (10th April). If this XI isn't quite on its last legs then it is creaking and in need of fresh blood. Joe Hart is one of those with good years ahead at 27, turning 28 this month, while Sagna is 32, Kompany is 29 today, Demichelis 34, Clichy 29, Navas 29, Toure 31, Fernandinho 29, Silva 29, Aguero 26 and Dzeko 29. Costly? We all know City's title-winning sides have been expensively assembled. City fans are hugely grateful to Sheikh Mansour's largesse. The flip side is that when they lose to well-heeled rivals, they are open to jokes, costly jokes, at their expense. Palace's starting XI combined at less than £19m cost less than half of the price for Eliaquim Mangala alone. He sat on City's bench at Palace, his £42m