United and City both look shaky but I would much rather be in Pep's position

RARELY, if ever, in the Premier League era can I recall a Manchester derby with both City and United in such turbulence.

But I would rather be in Pep Guardiola's shoes than Ruben Amorim's and I expect City to prevail in tomorrow's shoot-out at the Etihad.

During the week, I read one pundit saying City fans were going through "hell on hell" after just one win in 10 games - although six titles in seven years is not my idea of hell.

Ask fans of clubs who have gone under, or who live with difficulties like Reading, what hell really looks like.

What I would say is that City's team looks as if it's aged very quickly.

One headline after their Champions League defeat by Juventus read 'Old Lady 2, Old Men 0' and that may have been uncomfortably close to the mark.

Sir Alex Ferguson aside, Guardiola is the greatest manager in Premier League history, but his squad clearly needs a rebuild, and I wouldn't doubt his energy or desire to do it.