City out; Manchester United EFL title fear softens.

It hasn't been football as usual for some clubs since the resumption of various leagues across the world and I am surprised at a few results from top-flight matches in various leagues.

The English clubs have been fun to watch since the league started after the World Cup break, and there have been expected and unexpected results in all English competitions which have kept the league in its unpredictable mode. Matchday 17 came with lots of goals and the big boys didn't hesitate to grab all three points, we expected a continuous flow of that superb form from them on the next matchday but a few of them performed below expectations.

Among the team that has done exceptionally well since the English competitions resumed again, Manchester United's performance in all competitions stands out. Their performance last season was nothing to write about, they ended the season terribly which resulted in a lot of issues between fans, players, and the club management.

The departure of Ralf Ragnick required the club to get a new manager. Fans had eyes for big managers across Europe but the management settled for Erik Ten Hag, he was a great coach at Ajax but many didn't believe he was the right man for the job.

I didn't believe in the management decision as well, watching Manchester United matches used to be fun and it got to a point that I switched off the TV if it is the only available match to see. I wanted a manager that would take the club back to glory days even though, they will be a rival to my childhood club.

The Dutchman didn't look like the right man for the job but he is close to bagging his first title for Manchester United. Aside from Manchester United's awesome performance in the league, they are also doing pretty well in the FA and EFL Cup.

United trashed Charlton at Old Trafford to join the last four challenging for the domestic title but the presence of Manchester City was a threat to Ten Hag and immediately they got knocked out by Southampton, Manchester United's future became clearer and brighter.

It was really surprising to see Manchester City concede twice in the first half and the absence of their key players was a good excuse for the poor first half they had. Unfortunately for them, the presence of the big boys didn't make a difference in the second half. It was bad that they even failed to even record a shot on target against the Southampton.

Both Manchester United and City have tried managing their players since both clubs will face off in the Premier League over the weekend. It paid off for United and City wouldn't have expected that they will be going into the weekend fixture with the EFL defeat. The weekend fixture between the two sides will determine quite a lot of things on the league table and their managers resting players is very understandable.

The weekend result between the two sides is unpredictable and a lot of football lovers will definitely want to see Manchester United grab all three points at the end of the match.

I am not underrating any of the EFL semi-finalists but Manchester United looks like the most prepared to lift the title after they last did in the 16/17 season. Manchester United is still very active in all competitions and they might even get a chance to challenge for the Premier League if the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, and Newcastle lose guard.

It's still a long way to go to the end of the season but Ten Hag looks like the manager Manchester United needed for a few seasons now. I don't know what his aims are for the club but I can say to an extent that he is at the edge of lifting his first silverware for Manchester United.