Dubai: Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has told Gulf News he thinks the new-found threat of rivals Manchester City could be here to stay.
In Dubai yesterday for du's launch of specialised download and SMS content with the UAE mobile network's new partners, Manchester United, Neville said of City: "Are they fly-by-nights? That depends upon the owner. If the owner stays with them for the long term and continues to put money into the club and buys quality players, then they won't be fly-by-nights."
City's sudden rise to the top of the English Premier League since being backed by Abu Dhabi from 2008 has mirrored Chelsea's revival after a 2003 takeover by Roman Abramovich. Neville added: "Chelsea isn't a fly-by-night club. Chelsea has had six or seven years of success. They've won three league titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups.
"It's more than money — but money helps — and the size of the club and its fanbase helps. The right manager, the right players and the right time are all contributing factors. But City hasn't just put money into players, they've improved their training facilities, infrastructure and widened their sponsorship base. They're trying to create a football club."
Domination
Asked if Manchester City, the current FA Cup holders, can take the baton of English football domination from their city rivals, Neville, aged 36, said: "There have only been two clubs to have ever dominated 20-year periods and that's Liverpool and United. Can it happen again? Of course history can repeat itself, but it's very difficult to achieve 15 to 20 years of continued success like Sir Alex Ferguson has done, winning 37 trophies at United. City has won one trophy, so to start talking about 20-year domination is too early."
Neville, who retired at the end of last season, added: "When I started at United in 1992 we weren't thinking about the next 20 years, we were thinking about 1993. You go one season at a time."
As for the current season, where City lead United by five points and are threatening to finish above their neighbours for the first time in exactly 20 years, Neville said: "We're only three months in and at this stage last year United were behind by eight points, but they still went on to win the league.
"It will all unfold and the great thing about the Premier League is you have so many different challenges coming from many different areas, whereas in Spain its always Real Madrid and Barcelona."
Rivals
"You hope by March that its still in your hands, your level on points or one behind with your main rival still to play. That's all you can hope for, that you're in the race and still have a chance," said Neville.
"When clubs invest and break up the United, Arsenal or Liverpool domination I think its better for the Premier League. I genuinely believe spending to bring in Silva, Dzeko or Aguero is good for football. Do I want to see City win? No, I'm a United fan. But in terms of competition it makes for a better Premier League."
