Season preview: Manchester clubs – The importance of Kompany and Vidic

BFTGT: What would have to happen this season for you to class it as a successful one for your club?

Beautifully Red: Win the League. It has to be the main priority, and whilst winning the Champions League would be amazing, responding to City’s title win is a must. Away from winning trophies, if United could come out of this season with 2-3 of the club’s promising youngsters fully established as key first team members, that would be would be a nice achievement moving forward.

Rob Pollard: City would have to retain the Premier League and improve in the Champions League for this season to be considered a success. I also want to see the continuation of our attacking football which, at times last season, was absolutely brilliant to watch.

BFTGT: How do you feel about your club’s business in the transfer window this summer?

RP: Dreadful. Not sold well. Not bought well. I was desperate to see us make Javi Martinez our principal target but we seem to have dragged our heels on that one, much like we have with other players. Martinez is exactly what City need.

BR: I love the signings of Kagawa and Powell, both exciting to watch players who will light up Old Trafford for years to come. Robin Van Persie looks a real possibility and would instantly improve out strike force. Would I be happy with that as my lot? No. Would love to see a central midfielder come in that would add some steel and guts to the passing and guile we already possess.

BFTGT: Who do you think will be your most important player this season?

BR: Nemanja Vidic. If he doesn’t get injured last season I think we win the league. He is that important to our team. Leader.

RP: Vincent Kompany. On the field he is an absolute star but he has become so much more than that. He is a brilliant interviewee who consistently says things that delight fans. I get more messages form rival fans saying how much they respect Kompany than I do any other player. He represents City perfectly.

BFTGT: How do you rate your manager’s ability to take your club forward?

BR: His previous track record makes it impossible to believe United will not react to last season’s disappointments.

RP: I think Mancini is superb. We have improved constantly since he arrived and we love him. He also happens to have fabulous hair.

BFTGT: Finally, who do you think will win the league this season?

RP: I’ll say us but I do worry that our transfer inactivity will allow United to steal a march. Alex Ferguson is the greatest manager this game has ever seen and for that reason I am always wary of United. City needed to kick on after last season and we haven’t.

BR: Manchester…

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Beautifully Red showcases GIFs of Manchester United’s best moments on a weekly basis. Follow @BeautifullyRed on Twitter. Rob Pollard is a Manchester City fan who shares his thoughts on sport, music and politics on his blog, Passions Just Like Mine.