Manchester United win 19th title as City make their intentions clear

Manchester United have won the English their 19th league title, more than any other team in history, beating Liverpool's record of 18. This comes after a season that saw them garner all criticism for playing badly and winning their matches, and then the issue of referees and Howard Webb being touted as their 12th player.

To be fair, United achieved this feat in style. They fought their own battles and never depended on anybody to beat their main rivals. They invested well in the squad getting Chicharito to assist big name Wayne Rooney and free-scoring Dimitri Berbetov, kept faith in the manager Sir Alex Ferguson through all these years and kept their shape by nursing veterans like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs who gave them the experience to guide youngsters.

Chelsea were close on their heels in the final straight, but then, it was a little too late as they tried to recover from a very bad spell that saw them labelled a finished squad. Other challengers, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City counted themselves off with dismal displays at the beginning of the season or a few weeks earlier, and United coasted home without much pressure and with a match to spare.

To dilute huge Old Trafford celebrations, Manchester City stood up to be counted, beating Stoke City in the FA Cup final by a Yaya Toure goal at Wembley. While this is an inferior achievement by comparison, it comes in after decades of waiting for City. It is a trophy in the cabinet. This must also send shivers down bitter rivals's spine as City booked themselves a UEFA Champions League spot a few days back.

All these may not be much to many United fans, but City fans see that as a sign. And to us the neutrals, the City intentions are loud and clear; they are gunning for the big price next season and they have the cash to do it. They may be getting a coaching to do it as well. SAF knows really well and he is likely to brush it off as part of his mind games. All the same, whether United or City, at the moment Manchester is the place to be for the time being.

Are City here to stay or they will be a one season wonder like Spurs?