Add into the mix that United are now able to call upon extra quality bodies in midfield such as Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger and who knows; perhaps the Red Devils can go the distance in the Premier League this season. It was becoming a real concern for Manuel Pellegrini that his principal goalscorer had just one goal from open play and looked well below par, bereft of his usual pace and dynamism.
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After yet another scare, Sergio Aguero masterminded a spectacular Manchester City comeback with five goals against Newcastle on Saturday.
From THAT last-gasp title-winning goal in 2012 to last season’s Golden Boot for being the Premier League’s top scorer with 26 goals, he has emerged as the most accomplished striker in the English game.
But he was denied the chance to become the first to score six when coach Manuel Pellegrini substituted him two minutes after his fifth goal.
Compared to his high standard shooting statistics, this 27-year-old striker from Argentina was not in his usual form.
Aguero said: “I am very happy”. He is reluctant to make comparisons with Aguero, insisting they are “different players”.
The knee injury suffered at Selhurst Park clearly affected him, although he did not miss any games, but he now seems to have fully recovered.
At the age of 27, Pellegrini believes the improvement in Aguero’s lifestyle has taken him to another level. Three minutes after that, he departed to a rocking ovation.
Mitrovic had the ball in the net again soon after, but it was ruled out for offside.
Aguero’s fourth goal, on the hour, saw him curl a shot into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the box and two minutes later he had a fifth after tapping in De Bruyne’s low cross.
Suddenly Newcastle were backing off as City tore forward.
Also with five goals to his name after hitting the equaliser in the Merseyside derby, Romelu Lukaku is on offer at 16/1 (17.00) to earn the individual plaudits next May.
He links up expertly with David Silva already.
Struggling champions Chelsea are in action later on Saturday when they host Southampton, with Jose Mourinho’s side seeking to close the 10-point gap that now separates them from City.
They are conceding too much space.
After cancelling out an effort from Aleksandar Mitrovic just before half-time, Aguero led a second-half assault on the Newcastle goal that was devastating in its attacking aggression and effectiveness.
Only one surprise here, and that’s Pablo Zabaleta returning to the starting XI for Bacary Sagna.
For Newcastle, their woes continue. “I think it was four games without scoring any goals in the Premier League so I am really pleased about my performance today”. Their chance was gone, for then Aguero took centre stage to rewrite goalscoring history.
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“I thought the lads were excellent and you can see that they are improving week by week”.
